Israellycool

Archive for the ‘Australasia’ Category

I can’t resist this next story.

A New Zealand man who claimed to have been left speaking Australian after being raped by a wombat has been sentenced to 75 hours community service.

Arthur Ross Cradock, a 48-year-old orchard worker, admitted in the Nelson District Court yesterday to the charge of using a phone for a fictitious purpose, after calling police with the message, “I’ve been raped by a wombat”.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Stringer told the court that on the afternoon of February 11 Cradock called the police communications centre, threatening to “smash the filth” if they arrived at his home that night.

When asked if he had an emergency, he replied “yes”, Mr Stringer said.

On a second subsequent call to the communications centre, Cradock told police he was being raped by a wombat at his Motueka address, and sought their immediate help.

He called police again soon after, and gave his full name, saying he wanted to withdraw the complaint.

“I’ll retract the rape complaint from the wombat, because he’s pulled out,” Cradock told the operator at the communications centre, who had no idea what he was talking about, Mr Stringer said.

“Apart from speaking Australian now, I’m pretty all right you know, I didn’t hurt my bum at all,” Cradock then told the operator.

I don’t know what’s more offensive - the claim he was raped by a wombat or that the rape made him Australian.

And in perhaps the biggest understatement of the day..

Mr Stringer said alcohol had played a big part in Cradock’s life.

Update: By the way, Cradock would have been in a more trouble than he thinks had his claims been true.

A complicated dance, a bite on the rump and ferocious backward kicks are all part of the wombat’s lovemaking repertoire, a new study has revealed.

Until recently, there were no recorded observations of mating between wombats.

But the director of Nocturnal Wildlife Research Ltd, biologist Clive Marks, found wombats were more likely than the average Aussie male to emulate moves from the Kama Sutra.

Back in Australia, the co-creator of a famous Australian television show is facing rape and indecent assault charges, relating to one alleged victim who was a boy at the time.

This wouldn’t really be the kind of thing I would blog about had it not been for the picture the Herald Sun chose to run with the report.

Mere coincidence or another example of the media being manipulative?

I’ve tracked down the full text of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s motion for the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel.

The motion that had some ALP and Liberal Party MPs foaming at the mouth.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s motion for the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel

I move:

That the House:

(1) celebrate and commend the achievements of the State of Israel in the 60 years since its inception

(2) remember with pride and honour the important role which Australia played in the establishment of the State of Israel as both a member state of the United Nations and as an influential voice in the introduction of Resolution 181 which facilitated Israel’s statehood, and as the country which proudly became the first to cast a vote in support of Israel’s creation

(3) acknowledge the unique relationship which exists between Australia and Israel a bond highlighted by our commitment to the rights and liberty of our citizens and encouragement of cultural diversity

(4) commend the State of Israel’s commitment to democracy, the Rule of Law and pluralism

(5) reiterate Australia’s commitment to Israel’s right to exist and our ongoing support to the peaceful establishment of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue

(6) reiterate Australia’s commitment to the pursuit of peace and stability throughout the Middle East

(7) on this, the 60th Anniversary of Independence of the State of Israel, pledge our friendship, commitment and enduring support to the people of Israel as we celebrate this important occasion together.

Today the parliament of Australia notes the occasion of this year, being the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel. The story of the establishment of the state of Israel begins with the unimaginable tragedy of the Holocaust. At the Holocaust memorial at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem the words of the Australian delegate to the 1938 Evian Conference are recorded.

He said that Australia could not encourage refugee immigration because, ‘as we have no real racial problem, we are not desirous of importing one’. Thankfully, later in 1938 the Australian government took the decision to admit 15,000 Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany. But by the time the war began only 6,500 had reached Australia.

By war’s end, six million Jews had been murdered.

By war’s end, the international community finally began to look again in earnest at the question of a homeland for the Jewish people. Australia is proud to have played a significant part in the international process that led to the foundation of the state of Israel. Australia’s then Minister for External Affairs, Dr Evatt, was part of the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine, which recommended in August 1947 the termination of the Mandate for Palestine. And he was chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee meeting on the Palestinian Question that proposed the partition of Palestine.

He strongly believed that the fundamental right of self-determination for the Jewish people and for Palestinians could only be achieved by each having their own state. The resolution that the United Nations adopted in November 1947 reflected that. It proposed the establishment of two independent states one Arab and one Jewish. And Australia was the first state in the historic vote of the international community on that resolution to cast its vote in support of the modern State of Israel.

On 14 May 1948 David Ben-Gurion declared the foundation of the modern state of Israel. Prime Minister Ben Chifley, too, was closely involved in Australia’s policy towards Israel. In June 1948 he reinforced Evatt’s strong support for a two-state solution when he cabled British Prime Minister Clement Attlee and urged early recognition of Israel, saying that: Such [a] declaration would properly indicate willingness to agree in principle to the recognition of the Provisional Government of Israel, and at the same time willingness to recognise de facto the Arab authorities in actual control of Arab Sections of Palestine.

On 29 January 1949 he announced that Australia would become one of the first countries to recognise the new State of Israel, describing it as ‘a force of special value in the world community’. As President of the General Assembly Dr Evatt then presided over the historic May 1949 vote admitting Israel as the 59th member of the United Nations. On 11 May 1949 the Chifley Labor government opened an embassy in Tel Aviv. Evatt later said that, when working on the question of Israel, he wanted to ensure that the “new State of Israel, whose people had in the past done so much for humanity, would be welcomed, not merely formally but with good heart and good conscience” into the international community.

The 60 years since the establishment of Israel have been full of challenges and full of trials. Similarly, the process for the emergence of a Palestinian state has come along a torturous path. There has been too much bloodshed. But over those 60 years there has also been cause for hope.

We think today of Prime Minister Menachem Begin standing with President Jimmy Carter and Egypt’s President Anwar Sadat, at the White House on March 26 1979 at the signing of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty that followed from the Camp David Accords. Prime Minister Begin used both the Hebrew and Arabic words for peace when he urged: “No more war, no more bloodshed, no more bereavement. Peace unto you. Shalom, salaam, forever.”

We can think, too, of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, shaking hands with his lifelong enemy Yasser Arafat on the lawns of the White House on September 13 1993, saying: We, the soldiers who have returned from battles stained with blood we who have seen our relatives and friends killed before our eyes we who have attended their funerals and cannot look in the eyes of their parents we who have come from a land where parents bury their children we who have fought against you, the Palestinians we say to you, in a loud and clear voice, enough of blood and tears. Enough! All peoples of goodwill yearn for that vision to be realised. It has not been realised yet.

To borrow again from Yitzhak Rabin, a man who tragically paid the ultimate price while pursuing peace: The risks of peace are preferable by far to the grim certainties of war.

We firmly believe the establishment of an independent and economically viable Palestinian state must remain a key objective in the Middle East peace process. This is important for the future. It was important in the vision of 1947. It remains the vision today, just as our objective must be for Israel to exist within secure and internationally recognised boundaries.

Today, we in Australia support the ongoing negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority towards a final status agreement by the end of 2008, as launched at the Annapolis Conference in November last year. To support the establishment of a viable and sustainable Palestinian state Australia pledged a $45 million assistance package at the donors conference for the Palestinian territories in Paris on 18 December.

Australia remains, as we have in the past, committed to an effective two-state solution. Over the past 60 years Israel has preserved its robust parliamentary democracy and has built a vibrant society and economy. If anyone wants a dictionary definition of the term ‘robust’ they should spend an afternoon in the Israeli Knesset. That is where you see the definition of ‘robust’ at work. By contrast we are a pack of pussycats in here!

Over the past 60 years governments from both sides of politics in Australia have supported our strong relationship with Israel. That relationship is strong and it is deep and it will remain so. Because we are both democracies, as democracies sometimes we will agree and sometimes we will disagree. That is in the nature of strong relationships. But the underlying friendship between us does not alter.

Australia offers our congratulations to the government and people of Israel on this the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the modern Israeli state. We acknowledge our special history and relationship and we look forward to its continued strength and development into the future.

I commend this motion to the House.

Yesterday, I posted about the anti-Israel views of some Australian Labor Party members of parliament.

Today’s it’s the Liberal party’s turn.

A Liberal backbencher today noted the “legitimate aspirations” of Palestinians, hours after federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson helped mark Israel’s 60th anniversary.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, supported by Dr Nelson, led the celebrations of Israel’s creation despite objections from at least one Labor MP and several unions.

New South Wales Liberal MP Sussan Ley said 2679 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli security forces in the Gaza Strip since September 2000, including 1259 who were not participating in hostilities and 567 children.

Why is she mentioning the total number, the vast majority of which are terrorists?

“Israel has many friends in this country and in this Parliament, the Palestinians, by comparison, have few,” Ms Ley told the House of Representatives.

Go figure.

“Their’s is not a popular cause but it’s one I support in part out of the knowledge that the victors in World War II, including Australia, wrote a homeland cheque to cover the sins of the Holocaust and centuries of anti-semitism in Europe.

“But it was the Palestinians who had to cash it.”

Even though at the time, the only people referred to as “Palestinians” were the Jews living in what later became the modern State of Israel, since there was no distinct Arab palestinian nation.

Ms Ley said Israel should celebrate its modern, intelligent society, but both Israelis and Palestinians must work towards peace.

“Each side has legitimate grievances. If there were peace between Israelis and Palestinians, one can only imagine the achievements of these two cultures today.

One need not imagine what the achievements of Israelis could be - the Israeli contribution to the world has been nothing short of incredible, spanning all disciplines, despite the main palestinian contribution to the world - terrorism .

“The current blockade of Gaza, confiscation of Palestinian land and the expansion of settlements must be mentioned in the context of today’s motion.

“Rockets are fired into Israel every day and Israel has a right to self-defence. But the crushing economic embargoes feed fury and resentment both in Gaza and the West Bank.”

There’s that ‘but” construct again.

Ms Ley said a recent Tel Aviv university poll showed 64 per cent of Israelis believed the Government must hold direct talks with the Hamas Government in Gaza towards a ceasefire.

“Military occupation blockades and hostility against civilians in the name of security will result in violence and breed terror,” she said.

“We must think about what we can do to improve the lives of ordinary Israelis and Palestinians to give them some faith in the peace process.”

I’m guessing Ms Ley did not learn too much Middle Eastern history down on the sheep farm.

Elements within Australia’s ruling party, the Australian Labor Party (ALP), are threatening to boycott a bipartisan motion congratulating Israel on 60 years of statehood.

A bipartisan motion congratulating Israel on 60 years of statehood has provoked division in federal Labor, with one government MP threatening to boycott the vote and union heavyweights accusing the Jewish state of racism and ethnic cleansing.

The parliamentary motion is due to be passed by MPs today, commemorating 60 years of friendship between Australia andIsrael.

The motion provoked a clash between Kevin Rudd and Labor MP Julia Irwin yesterday after Ms Irwin questioned why the Government was supporting the gesture, given Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

And today a group of individuals and organisations, including the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, the Maritime Union of Australia and South Australian Democrat MP Sandra Kanck, have put their names to an advertisement in The Australian condemning themotion.

“We, as informed and concerned Australians, choose to disassociate ourselves from a celebration of the triumph of racism and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians since the al-Nakba (Catastrophe) of 1948,” the advertisement reads.

Today’s motion will commemorate Australia’s role in the establishment of Israel and commend Israel’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law and pluralism. It reiterates Australia’s commitment to Israel’s right to exist and to finding a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

Partyroom sources told The Australian that Ms Irwin unsuccessfully attempted to table a number of Amnesty International reports during yesterday’s caucus meeting, which she said detailed Israel’s alleged mistreatment of the Palestinians.

Ms Irwin told The Australian she had yet to decide if she would support the motion.

National secretary of the CFMEU John Sutton said the union was critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Referring to the recent violence, he condemned the “latest slaughter of Palestinians” (and not the brutal murder of 8 innocent Israeli boys - ed).

The man who authorised the CFMEU’s participation in the ad, NSW secretary Andrew Ferguson - brother of Labor MPs Laurie and Martin Ferguson - said while he objected to some of the more pungent language in the statement, he supported the basic thrust. He said the CFMEU had no problem with Israel’s right to exist.

Sections of Labor’s Left have long struggled to reconcile themselves to the party’s support of Israel, and the problem threatened a rift between Labor and the Jewish lobby last year.

In 2003, Ms Irwin called for UN intervention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and read an email to the parliament that described the Jewish lobby in Australia as “the most implacable, arrogant, cruel and powerful lobby in the country”.

The head of the Australia-Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, Colin Rubenstein, dismissed Ms Irwin’s remarks, saying Israel’s critics in the ALP were confined to the party’s fringes.

Update: I’ve blogged about the terror supporters of the CFMEU before.

Update: Here’s a great piece by Philip Chester, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia (hat tip: Soccer Dad).

Yes, that is a Star of David on the man’s chest.

Story:

A monster crocodile came within a metre of making a meal of a fisherman on a Northern Territory river.

The saltie came alongside the small boat - probably looking for a free feed of fish - and suddenly exploded out of the water.

It almost got its jaws around 27-year-old Israeli tourist Novon Mashiah, who was leaning over the back of a dinghy posing for a photo.

The crocodile, estimated to be more than 4m long, landed on the side of the boat and then crashed back into the water.

“I was shocked - the animal clearly wanted to kill me,” Mr Mashiah told the Northern Territory News.

“One minute I was leaning over the boat teasing it for a picture. The next minute it burst out of the water with incredible speed … its jaws fully open.

“I was shaking,” he said.

Mr Mashiah’s fishing mate, Doron Aviguy, 22, snapped the pic from a bigger boat nearby.

The two Israelis were working as fishermen when they came face-to-face with the croc on Friday morning.

Mr Mashiah said that when he saw the croc approaching he leaned over the back of his boat.

“I began playing with it for a photo,” he said.

“I was pointing at it when it suddenly jumped up at me - I didn’t realise that crocs were so aggressive.”

Mr Aviguy said they were not alarmed when the crocodile first approached the boat.

“I was laughing but it wasn’t so funny in the end,” he said.

Mr Mashiah, a personal trainer from Tel Aviv, only arrived in Darwin recently. He met Mr Aviguy in Brisbane in early this year.

Mr Aviguy finished three years’ national service in the Israeli army and has been backpacking for 11 months.

They travelled to Darwin and got jobs fishing.

“That’s it - I’m not getting close to crocs any more,” said Mr Mashiah of his photo attempt.

Meanwhile, the crocodile’s friends have lauded the “resistance operation” against the Israeli aggressor.

Next time you hear of palestinians throwing rocks at soldiers or cars, or see the wire service photos, remember this story.

The mother of a rock throwing victim said the man responsible is sorry for being there, but not remorseful for his crime.

Jenni Tillet, mother of Nicole Miller, said her family believes Peter Hodgkins did not apologise to her daughter in court last week.

In the Wollongong District Court today, Hodgkins was sentenced to a maximum jail term of four years, with a non-parole period of two years and three months.

He had pleaded guilty to maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm for throwing rocks at cars from an overpass on the Princes Highway on the NSW South Coast on July 22 last year.

One of rocks hit Ms Miller on the head, injuring her so badly that doctors at Wollongong Hospital had to remove parts of her skull during surgery.

As I have mentioned before, this happened to a friend of my wife, who was hit by a palestinian-thrown rock while a passenger in a car. She also had part of her skull removed.

The Herald Sun reports:

A Syrian-born artist who says he loves John Howard has entered a portrait of the former prime minister dressed as an Arab into the Archibald prize.

But gallery officials say it won’t be eligible unless the former prime minister signs a consent form.

The portrait titled Johnny of Arabia was among hundreds of entries dropped off at the Art Gallery of NSW today - the last day for entries into the country’s most prestigious art prize, which will be announced on March 7.

The portrait shows Mr Howard wearing a white Lawrence of Arabia-style headdress with a black band.

A spokeswoman for the Art Gallery of NSW described the painting as “quite good” but said it hadn’t been delivered with the required signature and therefore wouldn’t be eligible for shortlisting.

She said Mr Howard had until Sunday to sign the form.

The artist, Abdul Elyoughun, said he was confident Mr Howard would sign the form.

Mr Elyoughun said he met Mr Howard in 2006 and the former prime minister had signed off on a similar portrait he’d done, which was auctioned at a federal government fundraiser.

“He signed the first one, he’ll sign the second one, no problem,” Mr Elyoughun told AAP.

“He’s a very nice man, his kids are very nice, he handled everything in the country very good.

“I love this man, I love this country.”

Mr Elyoughun, who is suffering a number of health problems, said he had made the final decision to enter the Archibald competition today after being released from hospital yesterday following an operation.

After finding the application, he sent the painting off to get framed for $480 and then sent it to the art gallery, he said.

Mr Elyoughun has been producing portraits for almost three decades, and said he had done portraits of prime ministers such as Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.

“I am sick and I wanted to do something big before I die,” he said.

And speaking of sick (but in the other sense of the word)…

Another gaining attention is a self portrait which has been painted with a penis instead of a brush.

It’s by Australian artist Tim Patch who calls himself Pricasso and usually shows his work at sex fairs.

Week’s after learning that Kramer and Newman’s bottle scheme might be coming to Australia comes word that Newman himself might also be.

Australia’s postal service has increased the maximum weight for mailmen and women by 15 kg (33 pounds) in an attempt to attract more “posties,” local media reported on Tuesday.

Australia Post had a weight limit of 90 kgs (198 pounds) for “posties” because its 110cc motorcycles had a safe working limit of 130kg (286 pounds) — that’s 40kg (88 pounds) for letters and up to 90 kgs for mailmen and women fully clothed.

But after talks with motorcycle manufacturer Honda it was agreed the bikes could safely carry a “postie” weighing 105 kgs (231 pounds), said Sydney’s the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

But the “posties” will only carry 25 kgs of mail.

The union representing mailmen and women said the 90 kg limit had caused recruitment headaches for Australia Post, but the company denied it had staffing problems.

“Testing found a rise in rider weight up to a maximum of 105 kgs would not have any significant effect on the stability, handling or safety of their 110 cc motorcycle,” an Australia Post spokesman told the newspaper.

“By raising it from 90 to 105 kilograms means there will be other people that can now apply,” he said.

Yet more evidence that the global Jihad is gathering steam, with a huge terrorist plot in the spotlight Down Under as a terror trial gets underway.

The leader of an alleged home-grown Muslim terrorist group talked of an attack that would kill 1000 people, a Melbourne terror trial heard today.
Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 47, said that in order to make the Government withdraw Australian troops from Iraq a large-scale operation was needed.

Prosecutor Richard Maidment SC said that Mr Benbrika, in conversation with another member of the terror group, said an attack was needed that “would make the Government sit up and take notice”.

“They were intending something big,” Mr Maidment told the jury in his opening statement.

“To cause maximum damage. To cause the death of a thousand…. by use of a bomb.”

The group of Melbourne men bent on violent Jihad planned terrorist attacks on football games or train stations to maximise deaths, the jury was told.

And the director and leader of the alleged terrorist group in Melbourne gave them permission to kill women, children and the elderly, the court heard.

The prosecutor said that according to Mr Benbrika Australia was a country at war and used the term ‘Kuffur’ to describe infidels who did not believe in violent Jihad.

Mr Maidment said that Mr Benbrika believed that it was permissable in pursuit of violent Jihad to kill and steal from the Kuffur.
“Their blood and money is fair game,” Mr Maidment said.

In his opening of the Crown case against 12 men accused of a number of terrorist offences, Mr Maidment said the group was prepared to launch an attack overseas but Australia was the preferred target.

He told the jury much of the evidence they would hear was contained in recordings of intercepted telephone conversations and from hidden listening devices.

From these conversations it was clear, he said, that the accused became concerned that their conduct was being monitored by authorities.

They used a number of conversational, security and anti-surveillance tactics to try and conceal their activities.

Mr Benbrika used at least 10 different mobile phones and eight of those were registered in false names and addresses.

Another accused, Aimen Joud, 23, had 13 different mobile phones , 12 of them in false names and registered at false addresses.

Mr Maidment said Mr Benbrika’s concerns that their activities were being monitored by ASIO and police played “a not insignificant role” in slowing the group’s activities and may have stopped them carrying out a terrorist attack.

The prosecutor said that although Mr Benbrika was the leader others in the group were not “shrinking violets”.

They would argue and make their points of view quite clear to Mr Benbrika.

“They should feel comfortable about the killing of innocent citizens,” prosecutor Richard Maidment SC, told the Supreme Court.

He said that the group’s leader, Abdul Nacer Benbrika, who was also known as Sheik Abu Bakr, used the term Kuffar to describe infidels who did not believe in Allah or subscribe to violent Jihad.

According to Mr Benbrika the term ‘Jihad’ had only one meaning in the Koran and that was fighting the Kuffar.

So much for “inner spiritual struggle.”

Mr Maidment said that in a secretly taped conversation another accused, Abdullah Merhi, asked Mr Benbrika if killing their intended victims would be pleasing to Allah.

Mr Benbrika replied:”You are pleasing the Almighty”.

On trial are 12 Muslim men, accused of a number of terrorist offences including fostering or preparing an attack involving the use of explosives or weapons.

According to its self-styled ‘Sheik’ and leader, Abdul Nacer Benbrika, Australia was a land at war and it was the duty of all Muslims to participate in violent Jihad, prosecutor Richard Maidment SC said.

Opening the Crown case against 12 men accused of a number of terrorist offences, Mr Maidment said the group was prepared to launch an attack overseas but Australia was the preferred target.

“The case is about a homegrown terrorist organisation which grew and operated between July 2004 and November 2005 in the suburbs of Melbourne,” Mr Maidment said.

The members were all male and all Muslim and their purpose, according to Mr Benbrika, was “Jihad in Allah’s cause”.

“By that he meant a violent form of Jihad,” Mr Maidment said.

The prosecutor said in one secretly recorded conversation between Mr Benbrika and another accused, Abdullah Merhi, Mr Benbrika said they were planning something big.

In the conversation, Mr Benbrika says they are not talking about “one or two or three” deaths.

Mr Merhi says “like Spain?”.

Mr Maidment said it was the the Crown case that Mr Merhi was referring to the terrorist attacks in Spain in 2004 where 191 people were killed and 2000 were injured.

Mr Maidment said Mr Benbrika was also heard in a conversation saying Osama bin Laden was a “great man” and praising al-Qaida.

The prosecutor warned the jury that Islam was not on trial and Mr Benbrika’s views did not reflect the true views of Muslims or of any other religious group.

An undercover operative attempted to infiltrate the group, Mr Maidment said in his opening of the Crown case, and had a meeting with Mr Benbrika where ammonium nitrate was discussed.

The operative suggested that 250kg of ammonium nitrate could blow up a large building and Mr Benbrika asked the operative if he could get hold of 500kg for him.

The prosecutor said Mr Benbrika was suspicious the operative might be a police officer and told him the authorities knew someone in Melbourne was planning a terrorist attack.

Mr Benbrika said they should wait but couldn’t say how long.

He also told the operative the group needed money to buy weapons and chemicals.

Mr Maidment told the jury videos, CD’s and other material found in the homes of some of the accused gave a strong clue about the “glue” that held the group together.

It was pro-violent Jihad and murder, praised the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and provided “a revealing window into the kind of matters that interested the accused”, he said.

Videos found in the possession of Mr Benbrika, Mr Kent, Mr Joud and Mr Merhi showed scenes of beheadings of victims in orange overalls like the ones worn by detainees at Guantanamo Bay.

In the videos armed and hooded men would sever the head of a victim with a large knife and then hold it aloft.

There were also videos of snipers shooting American soldiers in Iraq.

Literature was found in Mr Joud’s possession including ‘The terrorist’s handbook’, ‘The white resistance manual’ and ‘The car bomb recognition guide’.

Mr Maidment said the material showed the groups interests and its collective intention of fostering and preparing for terrorist attacks.

That was “Jihad and martyrdom” which would lead to “entry into paradise”, he said.

The prosecutor told the jury the Crown case was mainly encapsulated in the secretly conversations between members of the group. He told them there were 482 that would be played during the trial.

He said there would be little dispute about what was said, although some of them were in Arabic.

On trial before Justice Bernard Bongiorno are: Abdul Nacer Benbrika, 47, of Dallas, Shane Kent, 31, Meadow Heights, Majed Raad, 23, Coburg, Abdullah Merhi, 22, Fawkner, Aimen Joud, 23, Hoppers Crossing, Ahmed Raad, 24, Fawkner, Fadl Sayadi, 28, Coburg, Ezzit Raad, 26, Preston, Hany Taha, 33, Hadfield, Shoue Hammoud, 28, Hadfield, Bassam Raad, 26, Brunswick and Amer Haddara, 28, Yarraville.

The charges include intentionally being members of a terrorist organisation involved in the fostering or preparation of a terrorist act.

Justice Bongiorno has already advised jurors they will be required to devote a large slice of their lives to a case which is bound to be as complex as it is lengthy.

Justice Bongiorno has empanelled the 15 jurors - calling for three more than normal in case of attrition.

He warned all of the 1200 potential jurors that came before him last week that they must put prejudice aside and to excuse themselves if they thought they could not.

“There are people in our community who hold, and sometimes express, attitudes which might be regarded as hostile to, or discriminatory towards, Muslims simply because they are Muslims,” Justice Bongiorno said.

I would venture to say that most Australians “hostile to, or discriminatory towards, Muslims” are not “simply because they are Muslims” but because of terrorist attacks like the one planned, and the relative lack of unqualified condemnation of terror emanating from the Muslim community. Add Sheik Hilaly to the mix, and I’m guessing the gang rapes also do not help.

As a general comment, notice how although the terrorists wanted to make the Government withdraw Australian troops from Iraq, this could not be construed as the root cause of their terrorism, but rather a goal derived from the real root cause: a belief in the restoration of the Islamic Caliphate (Al Qaeda’s primary goal). Unless you understand this, you stand no chance of defeating this malignant enemy.

Kramer lives on, and you can’t even blame Shimon Peres for it.

Concerns have been raised that a Seinfeld-style scheme will be attempted by interstate residents after the State Government announced the recycling levy would be doubled.

Premier Mike Rann yesterday said the levy would be 10c for each bottle or can later this year.

It has prompted warnings that Victorian and New South Wales residents – who do not pay a deposit on containers – will copy television show Seinfeld’s character Kramer who drove a mail truck filled with recyclable containers interstate to collect a 10c levy.

In the episode, Kramer’s partner in crime Newman works out a formula that ensures the scheme is profitable taking into account fuel, tolls and truck rental fees.

No other Australian state offers a refund on containers and interstate recyclers have previously targeted SA recycling depots located near the border.

I know I probably shouldn’t laugh at this, but I can’t help it. Whether it’s the party boy’s nonchalant answers, the reporter’s attempts to ask hard-hitting questions of said party boy, or the image of the reveller running past with a hat strategically covering his private parts, it cracks me up (hat tip: Shy Guy).