AI experts say that AI could potentially start new cults, become an influential propaganda machine, disseminate misinformation and fake news, incite widespread public distrust of the media, thus corrupt free speech, and can ultimately defenestrate democracy.

Today, the Australians for Artificial Intelligence Safety Group created an open letter calling for the Australian government to take AI safety seriously and regulate the industry.

Despite calls around the globe and mounting concerns of the real-world harms that AI contributes to, a spokesperson for Australians for AI Safety Group said Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, dismissed these warnings stating they are darkly negative. Members of the government, then, are not taking the catastrophic or existential risks of AI seriously, unlike other countries including Singapore and the UK. Singapore has created the AI Verify Foundation, working to develop AI testing tools to enable safe and responsible AI. Similar safety-focused government labs are proposed in the UK.  Australia is yet to propose a national lab of this kind.

The Wires Bianca Mulheron spoke with Professor Peter Vamplew, an expert in information technology at Federation University on the increasing dangers of Artificial Intelligence.

 

Produced By: Bianca Mulheron

First aired on The Wire, Friday 21 July 2023

The post The Perilous Dangers of Artificial Intelligence appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Over 75% of Queenslanders formally and informally were engaged in volunteering work in 2020, that is 3 million people. And this week, Volunteering Queensland has announced it will be undertaking the 2023 State of Volunteering in Queensland Report to explore and better understand the current state of the sector post Covid-19.

This report is a follow-up from the first report in 2021, which was the States first in depth study of the nature, scale and value of volunteering in Queensland.. 

Three years on, post COVID-19 shut-downs, a catastrophic SE Queensland natural disaster, and significant changes to our volunteering eco-system, finding the health of the sector is more vital than ever, and speaking with The Wires Aryana Mohmood about this is Rikki Anderson, Project Manager for the State of Volunteering in Queensland Report. 

Produced By: Aryana Mohmood

Featured In Story: Rikki Anderson, Project Manager for the State of Volunteering in Queensland Report

First aired on The Wire, Friday 21 July 2023

The post Volunteering Queensland announces second State of Volunteering in Queensland report appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Despite the Federal Governments intervention in the energy market, customers will see their electricity prices soar by as much as 25% depending on their region. With breaking news of impending gas shortages due this winter, Australians are in desperate need of alternatives to using gas for heating and cooking.

Surprisingly air fryers have become a beacon of affordability to Aussies, as they use significantly less power than conventional ovens. While pressure cookers are inexpensive and allow families to use cheaper ingredients, meals can be ready within 20 minutes music to the ears of many time-poor families.

The Wires Aryana Mohmood spoke to Emma White, Food Technologist and Founder of the Why Meat Co. about how appliances can help beat the cost of living and provide simple money-saving meals that Aussies can make at home.

Produced By: Aryana Mohmood

Featured In Story: Emma White, Food Technologist and Founder of the Why Meat Co.

First aired on The Wire, Friday 21 July 2023

The post The secret to affordable meals providing relief amid soaring energy prices appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Today a new book about medicinal bush called Wardlada Mardinidhi  was launched in Port Lincoln, South Australia.

Written by Galinyala Barngarla woman Evelyn Walker and Professor Ghilad Zuckermann, the book gives the Barngarla community another resource to know about native plants in the Barngarla language .

The Wires Eduardo Jordan spoke with Evelyn Walker to find out more

Image: Image of farm in South Australia, Image courtesy Cloudfront

Produced By: Eduardo Jordan

Featured In Story: Galinyala Barngarla woman, Evelyn Walker

First aired on The Wire, Friday 21 July 2023

The post Book about medicinal bush launched to learn more about Barngarla appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

This week, the International Congress of Genetics and Genomics kicked off in Melbourne to discuss how genomics can help our health.

A new national centre called the Australian Alliance for Indigenous Genomics, (ALIGN), was also launched this week bringing benefits of genomics medicine to First Nations Australians.

With different genomics projects, scientific and  First Nations communities will have a deeper insight into common diseases like diabetes and cancer.

The Wires Isaac Brogan asked Lead of ALIGN and Professor of Indigenous Genomics at the Australian National University, Alex Brown about the work ALIGN will do

Image: Image courtesy of Pixabay: Komono

Produced By: Isaac Brogan

Featured In Story: Alex Brown Lead of ALIGN and Professor of Indigenous Genomics at the Australian National University, and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 20 July 2023

The post Putting genomics under the microscope with international congress appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Australia has one of the worlds highest rates of deforestation.

Less than 5% of native vegetation remains on roadsides and private properties in South Australias York Peninsula, according to a new study.

In a bid to boost conservation in agricultural landscapes, researchers are calling for drastic changes to land management strategies to retain native ecosystems and prevent biodiversity loss. The study, between university of South Australia and Kangaroo Island Research Station frames a lens on empowering collaboration between farmers and regional communities by identifying barriers that obstruct preservation.

 

 

Image: Image courtesy of: Wikimedia Commons Jordan Condon

Produced By: Emma Wotzke

Featured In Story: Bianca Amato University of South Australia Researcher and PhD student , and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 20 July 2023

The post Collaboration with farmers key in conserving native ecosystems in agricultural landscapes appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

We won it for our grandparents, an echo of Bungarla Elder, Dawn Taylors sentiment, following the outcome of a six-year fight for Traditional Owners on SAs Eyre Peninsula.

What has been described as a David and Goliath case reached a victorious peak for Barngarla people with the Federal Court in Adelaide ruling in their favour, overturning the federal governments decision to build a nuclear waste dump near Kimba.

As reported by the Guardian, justice Natalie Charlesworth said the court would uphold an application by the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation due to apprehended bias and pre-judgement by former Coalition resources minister Keith Pitt.

So, what does this victory mean for Barngarla people?

Image: Image courtesy of BDAC

Produced By: Emma Wotzke

Featured In Story: Aunty Dawn Taylor respected Bungarla Elder , Dave Sweeney Australian Conservation Foundation Nuclear Policy Analyst , and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 20 July 2023

The post Traditional Owners rejoice as court overturns plan for Kimba nuclear waste dump appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

The Diversity in STEM Review is an annual report recommending ways the government can support women to feel more accepted and comfortable in STEM related careers.

One group who has contributed to this report is Girl Geek Academy, which encourages girls and women of all ages to recognise their importance in the world of STEM. They conducted their own research for the report.

The Wires contributor from RTRFM Fiona Bartholomaeus asked Girl Geek Academy CEO and founding member Sarah Moran, what inspired her to create the organisation?

Image: Image courtesy of Unsplash: ThisisEngineering RAEng

Produced By: Fiona Bartholomaeus

Featured In Story: Sarah Moran Girl Geek Academy CEO and founding member , and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 20 July 2023

The post Time for action: empowering women in STEM appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Punk band the Painters and Dockers front man Paulie Stewart has lived a life of jagged contrast.

The brother of East Timor Balibo 5  Channel 7 sound recordist Tony Stewart, the deep injustice felt by the callous treatment by then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam at the time of the event has never left younger brother Paul.

Paulie joined the band he still tours with but along the way also became a journalist, met Bill Clinton, got Keith Richards to sing There Was a Redback on the Toilet Seat,  supports an order of Nuns in East Timor (whom he regularly visits), was a friend of Father Bob and most recently almost died of a diseased liver, whereupon he wrote his memoir All the Rage.

The Painters and Dockers were a band with an edgy reputation from the 70s on and now they have clocked up 40 years and are on an anniversary tour.  They will be at the Factory Theatre 29th July.

Image: Image: Supplied Melbourne Books

Produced By: Roderick Chambers

Featured In Story: Paulie Stewart Author, Musician, Journalist

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 19 July 2023

The post All the rage Paulie Stewart appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Its now beyond debate: NATOs expansive alliance can no longer call itself defensive.

In this episode of the Patrick Henningsen Show on TNT Radio which aired on July 17, 2023, Patrick talks with geopolitical analyst George Szamuely, a senior fellow at the Global Policy Institute, host of The Gaggle and author of Bombs for Peace: NATOs Humanitarian War on Yugoslavia, about the history of NATOs creeping encirclement of Russia, and how it set the stage for the Wests current proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. He also explains why the alliance can no longer call itself defensive, as well as its dangerous abuse of the Article 5 provision and why its not meant to be an attack on one is an attack on all a veritable fait accompli to WWIII. Who in their right mind really wants that? All this and more. Listen:

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In an unprecedented coup of access to any Monarch, Karin af Klintberg assembled a documentary on King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.  He was the youngest monarch to ascend a throne at age 27 over 50 years ago.

Director and creator Karin af Klintberg had sent thousands of emails to finally spend many hours with the King in interviews over an extensive 2 year period.  Gustaf did not like much of the constant photography and public engagements that a King had to endure, and was regarded as somewhat reclusive, so the achievement of this film is unlikely to be surpassed.

The King [Kungen] is part of the Scandinavian Film Festival starting today.

Image: Image: Supplied King Carl XVI Gustaf with Karin af Klintberg

Produced By: Roderick Chambers

Featured In Story: Karin af Klintberg Director The King

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 18 July 2023

The post Stunning documentary on the Swedish King appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Opening the Scandinavian film festival, Gothenberg Festival winner Let the River Flow follows the story of a Smi girl drawn into a protest in Norway 40 years ago.

Indigenous Smi people wanted to preserve a nomadic way of life that fitted in with the seasons and followed the Reindeer.  The Government down in Oslo however had plans for an essential river that would be dammed and the country lost to the Smi.

Director and creator Ole Giver found that in the course of making the movie that in fact he too had Smi heritage

Image: Image: Supplied Ole Giver

Produced By: Roderick Chambers

Featured In Story: Ole Giver Director Let the River Flow

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 19 July 2023

The post Indigenous Smi fight for the river appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

Lobbying groups are part of the democratic prosses in this country, yet the rules surrounding how they operate are vague at best. Lobby groups will have a more public presence this year leading up to the voice referendum, with multiple organisations on both sides ramping up their campaigns.

Lobbying is usually done behind closed doors, so this more public showing of lobbying is a good time to see how much sway Lobbyists have in parliament and what happens when they overstep their boundaries.

Image: Image: Shutterstock: inspiring.team

Produced By: Dominic Giles

Featured In Story: Dr Lindy Edwards, Researcher of Australian politics specialising in Political Lobbying and Political Economy UNSW

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 19 July 2023

The post Lobbying in Australia appeared first on Fraser Coast FM 107.5.

A bit of history for the region on Monday 3 July, with the first scheduled Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) charter flight operated by National Jet Express (formerly Cobham) touching down at Moranbah Airport.

https://www.facebook.com/NationalJetExpress

2-Sense podcast

This week on the Australian Property Podcast I was joined by Chris Bates to discuss the big three property news stories of the week.

We discuss Domain's house price forecasts, which anticipate new highs, and also record mortgage repayments expected next year. 

Tune in here (or click on the image below):

On Friday 30 June, Cirrus Design Corp. SF50 Vision Jet wearing the American registration marking of N616TS looked to fly into Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Nambucca Heads (New South Wales) before it then departed to Cairns. 

Around the corner from my Brunswick St office, at the RNA showgrounds, work is underway on the Exhibition station upgrade so its ready for Cross River Rail, Brisbanes new subway system. This appears to have necessitated traffic control on Gregory Terrace, the latest of many disruptions associated with the mega project. With all the disruptions, cost blowouts, and the possibility public transport usage wont recover to its pre-COVID trajectoryits now at only 80-90% of pre-pandemic levels according to the Brisbane Timesits legitimate to question whether Cross River Rail was a good investment of public funds. Its looking more likely the critics were right about the project, which could ultimately cost in the order of $10 billion. 

As questionable a project as Cross River Rail is, at least its not as bad as the $100 billion Melbourne suburban rail loop the Victorian Government green-lighted and which is receiving billions in federal funding, despite the state government not submitting a business case to Infrastructure Australia (see Daniel Andrews Suburban Rail Loop proceeds without business case). 

Clearly we can do better in infrastructure decision making across Australia, and one positive step toward that was suggested by Allegra Spender and her fellow Teal MPs last month when they proposed to legislate for compulsory disclosure of estimated costs and benefits of any major project proposed for Infrastructure Australias priority list (see Allegra Spenders tweet below). This seemed eminently sensible to me, so I was aghast it was knocked back by a Government-Opposition team up. Both major parties have a mutual interest in continuing the current system which provides insufficient protections against pork barreling it seems.

It is disappointing that the ALPs commitment to integrity didnt survive the move to the government benches. We dont...

 

Black-capped Paradise-Kingfisher

During our cruise from Brisbane to Papua New Guinea, we had an overnight port stop in Rabaul in east New Britain. This allowed an opportunity for a morning of rainforest birding on February 1. Ive visited Rabaul previously while working as a journalist and had limited opportunity to bird forest patches far from town. Most birders visit west New Britain and little is known ornithologically of the islands eastern half. I was able to organise a highly recommended tour with the Rabaul-based company Pauvu Tours (contact Tulipa Paivu tpaivu40@gmail.com) or find them on Facebook.

Rachael from Pauvu Tours

...

Red-footed Booby

Weve just returned from a 12-day cruise from Brisbane to Papua New Guinea aboard the Coral Princess from January 26 to February 6. Ill post separately about productive birding experiences near Rabaul and in the Conflict Islands. This post is to give an idea of what to expect on a cruise of this nature and to outline what happened with seabirds along the way. Its important to note that seabirding from large cruise ships is difficult; youre a long way up from the water and birds are usually distant.

Wedge-tailed Shearwater

The Oriental Pratincole is a very rare visitor to south-eastern Australia, so the finding by Colin Trainor of five pratincoles at Seven Mile Lagoon, in the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane, on November 26 generated much excitement. The finding is all the more extraordinary since the birds were at the same spot that Chris Corben, Greg Czechura and I had a flock of 26 Oriental Pratincoles in November 1971 51 years ago! - and where another flock of 10 birds was located in November 1996 by Andrew Stafford. The 1971 record was the first for South-East Queensland; the 1971, 1996 and current records are the only ones for the region. All three records of Oriental Pratincole were in the south-west corner of the lagoon, which is often dry but has had plenty of water in it recently due to good seasonal rains over the past two years. The lake was full for many months but the water level has receded more recently, exposing mud around the shore. Following Colins find, multiple visitors to the site at first failed to relocate the birds, so it was generally believed they had moved on.

One of the biggest challenges facing advanced economies is maintaining reliable and reasonably priced electricity as we decarbonise to combat climate change. This year weve seen some ominous signs that this may not go well. The war in Ukraine has reminded us were still highly dependent on fossil fuels, and disruptions to supply are very costly. European electricity prices are now soaring as Russian gas supply is restricted and its looking like a bleak Winter for Europe, something I identified as a downside risk to the global economic outlook in a generally positive Queensland economic update I gave at the Brisbane Club last Tuesday. You can download my slides via the link below. The scary European electricity prices chart is on the last slide. 

Qld economic update September 22.pdf 

In Australia, our National Electricity Market (NEM) had a near death experience in June and was temporarily suspended by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), which had to assume command and control, central-planning style, to keep the lights on. In the latest episode of my Economics Explored podcast, I speak with local energy expert Andrew Murdoch of Arche Energy about what happened in June and whether it could happen again. Are renewables coming into the system too quickly? Whats happening with batteries? Will Australia be able to cope with the retirement of coal-fired power stations? And what about all the EVs that will need charging? These and other questions are tackled in a frank and fearless conversation.  

You can listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or post, you can listen via the embedded player below.

Andrew is generally optimistic about our ability to manage the transition to greater renewable energy, but he certainly does appear to appreciate the ri...

In my upcoming Brisbane Club presentation on Tuesday, one chart Ill show is of selected Queensland regional unemployment rates, highlighting how the economic recovery generally and a booming mining sector have translated into some extraordinarily low unemployment rates in some regions. Regions such as Townsville, Cairns, and Mackay are experiencing rates of unemployment far below highs experienced last decade (see the chart below). The improvement in my hometown of Townsville is particularly remarkable.* The ABSs estimate of the 12-month moving average unemployment rate for Townsville in July was 2.9%. Compare that with unemployment rates of 11-12% five years ago. 

In a small number of regions, unemployment rates remain high, most notably Logan-Beaudesert and Queensland Outback, and Wide Bay (see chart below). I suspect this is partly related to the disproportionate numbers of disadvantaged people living in these regions, including Indigenous and low-skilled, long-term unemployed people. Structural change, including a declining manufacturing sector and mechanisation in agriculture reducing the need for on-farm labour, are also probably relevant. You can find the data behind this chart in the Queensland Government Statisticians Offices handy Regional Labour Force briefing. 

One thing to keep in mind is that, while the numbers make sense in terms of what we know has been happening in state and regional economies, there is a large degree of uncertainty regarding the figures or point estimates to use the jargon. The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey and the ABS would only be surveying, at most, a few hundred households in many of the regions for which data are presented. Ill aim to examine the size of the sampling errors in a future post.

Finally, if youd like to attend the Brisbane Club Economics in Conversation event on Tuesday 6 September from 5pm Im speaking at, alongside former state government finance minister Rachel Nolan and current shadow Treasurer David Janetzki, then please let me know and I can arrange it with the Club. Tickets are $65, but there will be plenty of drinks and finger food, as well as some great...

Home > Australia > New Farm, QLD > Queensland Begonia Society Queensland Begonia Society Nearby schools & colleges Centre for Practical Spirituality 52 Merthyr Road, Newfarm Comments Is the Queensland Begonia Society Inc., 2019 Show on 23 24th February 2019? at Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha Hi all, Im trying to track []

BIRD OF THE DAY - White throated Nightjar [Vince Lee]

A fine but overcast day greeted the 24 birders to Bellbird Hollow last Saturday, 19 members and 5 visitors, including folk who traveled from Brisbane and Gympie. Hosts Allan and Dianne Pratt and son Steven welcomed us and Allan gave a brief introduction to their 5 acre property of 12 years, Allan apologizing in advance for the absence of Bell Miners which had mysteriously packed-up and left earlier this year. 

BIRD OF THE DAY - White throated Nightjar [Vince Lee]

Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment
at Cape Grim (Tasmania)

CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere

Citation

Dunse, B. L., N. Derek, P. J. Fraser, P. B. Krummel and L. P. Steele, Australian and global HFC, PFC, sulfur hexafluoride nitrogen trifluoride and sulfuryl fluoride emissions, Report prepared for Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Aspendale, Australia, iv, 33 pp., 2019.

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