City Hub 26 September 2019 by Alt Media

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Snippets by ALEC SMART Trash talk On Friday 20 September, an estimated 80,000 people – primarily youngsters – took over The Domain in Sydney for the global Strike for Climate rally, culminating in a march to Hyde Park. City Hub witnessed a young man attempt to disrupt the rally as it passed Martin Place, knocking down kids and an elderly woman in the process. However, he was quickly subdued by police. Similar rallies took place in over 110 towns and cities across Australia, which coincided with a worldwide rally of millions. Most of the participants carried hand-painted banners declaring support for policies to halt global warming and embrace renewable energy. On Facebook, a reactionary group calling itself Australian Youth Coal Coalition (AYCC) ran a photo purporting to show piles of rubbish left in Hyde Park. It was captioned: “Look at the mess today’s climate protestors left behind in beautiful Hyde Park. So much plastic. So much landfill. So sad.” This provoked a storm of condemnation when thousands recognised the photo did not come from the Sydney rally, nor from Australia, although it did come from a Hyde Park … in London. The original image was posted to Twitter on April 20 after a cannabis legalisation rally in London. After AYCC were ridiculed, they removed the post and replaced it with another picture of a clean park, with the caption: “After the mess left behind by the climate protestors, a group of young coal supporters volunteered to do a big clean up. This is the result. Well done to them..” Curiously, there were no pictures of the ‘volunteers’ and again AYCC got it hopelessly wrong – it was the same London Hyde Park, 17,000 km away.

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ground, then built a huge bonfire to rid the town of ‘Satanic objects’, and cheered as cultural relics and sacred artefacts were tossed onto the flames. In archival footage of the bonfire, broadcast by the ABC, a man states: “For many years we have been deceived by Satan and his demonic beings. Now we throw away all the things that have been keeping us in bondage and slavery.” The Pentecostal pastor, who accepted free board and food during her three-year tenure in Wangkatjungka, now reportedly preaches at a church in Homebush, Sydney, (City Hub were unable to confirm where) and, according to the ABC, works illegal cash-in-hand jobs due to her restricted visa status.

Youngsters attending the Climate Strike rally in Sydney use their banner to shelter from the sun. Photo: Alec Smart

Toadal control The seemingly inexorable advance of cane toads, introduced to Queensland cane fields in 1935 in a dismal ploy to combat the pestilent cane beetle, might finally be checked. After 84 years advancing – they’re now Australiawide and have even been found in Tasmania, presumably smuggling onto container ships and trucks - a native species has devised a way to eat the toad without dying from the highly poisonous secretion, bufotoxin, that emits from parotoid glands on its back, neck and shoulders. But research published in Australian Mammalogy on September 23 identified an indigenous rodent in Western Australia, the rakali, has devised a way of eating the toads and surviving, which was recorded on infrared camera. Bufotoxin is usually fatal, even when ingested in minor doses (although some hippies claim psychotropic effects from licking toads). This toxicity has caused rapid decline in numerous native species that snack on the toad, including quolls, lizards, crocodiles and raptors. The world’s largest toad and a prolific breeder - females lay thousands of eggs and the tadpoles are also highly toxic - the cane toad’s success as a species derives not only from its poisonous glands but its enormous appetite, which includes small rodents, lizards, birds, insects, invertebrates, bats, carrion, household refuse and other toads. Beyond a few species that can digest the poison

with immunity, such as meat ants, tawny frogmouths and keelback snakes, or those clever enough to flip the enormous amphibian over and eat its vulnerable belly, such as crows and kites, most predators fall prey to the poison. Yet within two years of toads invading their territory in the Kimberley region, the highly intelligent rakali devised ways of attacking the toad’s belly and eating its’ nutritious heart and liver. The rakali bite into the toad’s chest cavity with surgical precision to devour the desired organs whilst bypassing the bufotoxin. Rakali, also known as water rats, now actively hunt the toxic toads. Aboriginal relics torched An investigation by ABC TV’s Background Briefing in Wangkatjungka, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, revealed a group of Christian missionaries burned sacred Aboriginal objects to decry ‘devil worship’. The Christians, led by Tongan-born Pentecostal preacher Ana Makahununiu, who claims to be a “prophetess” channelling the word of God, were convinced Aboriginal artefacts were ‘Satanic’, and followed her advice to destroy them to purify their lives. In 2016, a year after the puritanical preacher arrived in the rural community, the recentlyconverted ‘born-again’ Christian locals defied Aboriginal elders and dismantled a spiritual law

Maori statue castrated In other religious news this month, on 12 September a New Zealand court convicted and fined a 78-year-old self-described ‘devoted Christian’, Milton Wainwright, for Wilful Damage, fining him $2000 after he hacked the penis off a Maori statue. The statue, at an entrance to the Manawatu Gorge Reserve walking track, which represents the Rangita ne Maori’s ‘whakapapa’ (link to their tribal ancestors), was irreparably damaged on April 16 this year. The figure was part of a set of carvings called Te Hononga Maunga, intended to offer safe passage to people passing through the Manawatu Gorge. The statue ‘disgusted’ Wainwright, a volunteer caretaker on the track, so he tried sawing off the phallus with a hacksaw. However, the hardwood eluded his efforts, so he returned the next day and reduced the wooden penis to sawdust with a chainsaw. From the early 19th century, when Christian missionaries from Europe arrived in New Zealand, Ma ori carvings were frequently defaced, because they typically featured prominent sexual organs, which were not considered offensive to Maori peoples. Wainwright who remains unrepentant and insists he had God’s approval, said after the court ruling: “I don’t see how it can be wrong to make an indecent thing so decent … When indecent statues are put in public in the name of culture, we have lost our chart and compass.” On 24 September Rangita ne Maoris announced they were funding a replacement statue from the $2000 compensation. Wainwright runs the ironically-named Organ Museum in nearby Woodville with his wife, but would no doubt be incensed if his collection of over 150 reed organs, many of which are sourced from churches, were hacked apart with chainsaws due to religious differences.

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Decriminalisation delays BY WENDY BACON On 24 September the Human Rights Law Centre called for the NSW Upper House to pass the bill to decriminalise abortion without any further amendments designed to “frustrate women’s reproductive freedom.” The Reproductive Health Care Bill, which was announced by Sydney MP Alex Greenwich in late July, was originally expected to go through parliament in several weeks. The purpose of the bill is to decriminalise abortion which has been in the NSW Crimes Act for 119 years. Currently, doctors provide many lawful abortions in NSW but all major medical and legal organisations supported the bill because there is ample evidence that stigma surrounding abortion means that it is not accessible or affordable for many women. Each week 29 women travel to other states for terminations, while many others face traumatic emotional and financial barriers. NSW is the last state to decriminalise abortion. The bill easily passed both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. The danger was always the amendments. However, campaigners were optimistic given that nearly all MPs from Liberal, National, Labor, Greens and Animal Justice parties who voted for the bill in the Legislative Council stated in their speeches that they supported passing the bill without further amendment. Many explicitly agreed with the notion that abortion is a health care issue, which means those seeking abortions should make their own decisions with the support of their doctors and other health care workers, without the need for intrusive regulation. Amendments delay But on Tuesday evening, nearly two months after it was tabled, the bill was still bogged down by delays caused by MPs moving amendments that will weaken and complicate the bill for doctors and women. There are more to come and even after this process is completed, the bill will

29 women protest that 29 women weekly have to travel interstate to access abortion. Photo: NSW Pro-Choice Alliance

now need to return to the Legislative Assembly. Assuming the bill is passed in its current amended form without further amendments, it will provide a considerably more complicated and uncertain regime for doctors and women than bills passed in Queensland and Victoria.

NSW Govt needs to stop playing politics with women’s health Human Rights Law Centre Sydney Legal Director Edwina McDonald told City Hub, “at this point, amendments being proposed are clearly designed to frustrate women’s reproductive freedom. The Bill that came before the NSW Parliament was a strong model that was endorsed by the leading medical and legal experts. It certainly doesn’t need to be amended, and it should be passed without further delay.” “It is simply unacceptable in 2019 that women continue to fear prosecution when accessing an abortion and continue to be treated like they are

incapable of making decisions about their bodies and lives. It is essential that any further amendments do not create barriers to abortion access. “Decriminalising abortion is supported by 71 per cent of people in NSW. Parliament needs to stop playing politics with women’s health and get on with decriminalising abortion.” Amended amendments The Human Rights Law Centre’s position is not surprising given that its comprehensive submission to a short Legislative Council Committee Inquiry in August provided detailed arguments about why amendments including one around ‘informed consent’ were not needed. Family Planning, the Australian Medical Association and the Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, all took a similar position. So far, three amendments have passed the lower house and another seven have passed the Upper House. Disappointingly for abortion law reform advocates, some of these amendments are

complicated compromise amendments that are attracting votes from National and Labor MPs who were sponsors of the Bill, including National Party MP Trevor Khan and Labor’s Penny Sharpe. The Greens have opposed the amendments. Although their own amendments are not getting up, the more extreme anti- choice MPs such as Labor’s Greg Donnelly and Minister for Finance Damien Tudehope are jubilant that bit by bit the bill is being substantially changed. In fact, the amendments have nothing to do with women and their health care. What changed is that vehemently anti-choice conservative Pentacontalist MP Tanya Davies threatened that she will walk away from the government to the cross bench if the bill does not undergo changes. Last weekend, she welcomed her small wins but was waiting for more. She and other conservative MPs are furious that Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who only has a two seat majority, allowed a conscience vote on the bill and voted for it herself. Two weeks ago, the Premier faced down a threat to test her grip on the premiership from Davies and two other MPs. But as the clock ticks on the bill, it’s clear that one of its 18 sponsors. National MP Trevor Khan, ex-Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair, who moved compromise amendments, and others have done a deal to shore up the government. On Wednesday, Davies told the SMH that her support for the government depended on further amendments, including one around the area of abortions performed after 22 weeks. City Hub contacted the Pro-Choice Alliance and Family Planning NSW with questions about their response to the current situation, but at the time of publication had not received answers. Wendy Bacon was previously the Professor of Journalism at UTS and for half a century has supported NSW women’s campaigns to decriminalise abortion. A longer version of this story will be updated online.

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Vapes of wrath BY JOHN MOYLE In the wake of recent reports in the US of a number of vaping-related deaths, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer weighed into the controversy with a statement condemning the practice. “There is growing evidence implicating e-cigarettes in a range of harms to individual and population health,” Professor Brendan Murphy, Chief Medical Officer, Australia said in a press release issued under the banner of the Department of Health. The press release went on to claim that, “International evidence is emerging of a possible link between the use of e-cigarettes and lung disease. “This includes severe lung disease requiring intensive care support and, as at 11 September 2019, at least six fatalities being linked with vaping in the United States.” Vaping dispute At the time of writing, the number of deaths in the US attributed to vaping has risen to eight, with more than 380 people hospitalised with vapingrelated illnesses across 36 states. The Trump White House is calling for a ban on all flavoured vaping liquids and legal action has been commenced against three e-liquid manufacturers. All of this makes for compelling evidence against vapes being sold in Australia, or does it? “He [the Chief Medical Officer] is incorrect and has the potential to cause more deaths from smoking in Australia,” Associate Professor Colin Mendelsohn, foundation chair, Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association, said. “He is not an expert in this field and he is getting his advice from the Health Department and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is very anti-vaping.” Professor Mendelsohn joined 27 leading health professionals who all came out in support of vaping as a measure to reduce smoking and

issued a statement refuting the Chief Medical Officer’s claims. Dr Alex Wodak, emeritus consultant at St Vincent’s Hospital, agrees. “The statement is riddled with errors and he [the Chief Medical Officer] has really got it wrong, and all of the Australian health organisations have also got it wrong. “I and many other colleagues have been in this place before with methadone treatment, the needle exchange, the medically supervised injecting centres and the heroin trial.” What has emerged about the deaths linked to vaping in the US is that it has affected mainly young men from a limited number of states and in most cases has been related to the smoking of illicit THC, or cannabis oil, that is suspended in vitamin E acetate. Vaping has been around for about 10 years and it is estimated that between 40 and 50 million people worldwide vape.

People can reduce risk of death by switching from smoking to vaping One reason why the US government might be against vaping, or even testing its ability to ween people off smoking, might have something to do with the Tobacco Master Plan Settlement of 1989, when 46 states did a deal with the four largest tobacco companies to not pursue legal action against them if they paid US$206 billion over 25 years, with the payments being linked to the future sale of cigarettes. Some states saw this as a revenue windfall and issued bonds against the future income, but with the falling rates of smoking, this future has fallen into a US$97 billion negative hole.

A number of medical experts say the cancer risk of vaping is less than 5% the risk of smoking. Photo:WikimediaCommons

Evidence -v- vested interests While vaping is legal in Australia, the sale of nicotine with the e-liquid is not, and this does not sit well with the signatories. “We are the only western democracy to ban the sale and use of nicotine and clearly there is not the evidence,” Professor Mendelsohn said. “In other countries across Europe, Canada, New Zealand and the UK they use it and we see the benefits with lower smoking rates. “It’s not about the evidence, it is about other things like ideology, political and moral issues and vested interests.” UK clinical trials and a number of key bodies such as Cancer Research UK, the Royal College of Physicians and the British Medical Association accept that the risk of vaping is unlikely to be less than five per cent of the risk of smoking. In Sydney, a large vaping community exists

online and around the shops that sell vaping supples. “People are coming in wanting to get off cigarettes because of the costs and the health risks,” Maxim Fitchkin, director of The Steamery at Beaconsfield, says. Professor Mendelsohn also questioned where the $12.5 billion collected annually in tobacco taxes was spent. “The Health Minister recently allocated $20 million over four years for education campaigns and lung cancer screening, but this is a fraction of what he received from tobacco taxes and a lot of smokers feel exploited,” Professor Mendelsohn said. “People who are unable or unwilling to stop smoking can either reduce their risk of death by switching from high risk smoking to much lower risk vaping and many of these will be able to quit,” Dr Wodak said.

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Religious rites and wrongs BY ALEC SMART Christians and Muslims united in a rare show of solidarity as religious rights campaigners picketed KIIS 1065 FM Radio Station on Monday 23 September. Angry protestors targeted the KIIS FM North Ryde studios after controversial ‘shockjock’ DJ Kyle Sandilands made ‘blasphemous’ comments live on the Kyle and Jackie O Show the previous Thursday, which questioned the virginity of Jesus Christ’s mother Mary. Sandilands, who apologised the following day, said, “I thought Mary was his girlfriend but apparently it was the mother. And the mother lied obviously and told everyone, ‘Nah, I got pregnant by a magical ghost’. Bullshit! Someone chock-ablocked her behind the camel shed!” To further inflame the provocation, he added: “You might believe everything that’s written down 2,000 years ago to be absolutely accurate and good on you, you’re dumb. Dumb as dog shit.” Video footage of the comment was shared to Instagram by KIIS FM, but hastily withdrawn when complaints from incensed listeners began rolling in. Virgin Mary accused of having sex Charlie Bakhos, manager of the Christian Lives Matter’s Facebook page, posted a video online expressing his disgust at Sandilands. “You offended Christians, Muslims, people of faith. You called the mother of our lord, Jesus Christ, names. You accused her of having sex. You offended many, many people today and we’re not going to let this go.” Muslims, although they don’t accept Jesus was the son of God, revere him as a prophet and accept his conception was achieved virginally through Mary’s liaison with a spirit of God. Mary is mentioned more frequently in the Quran than the Bible – two whole chapters are dedicated to her

Kelly Reed, 24 Originally from: UK Now lives: Sydney

– and venerated as the highest position in Islam among all women. Kyle Sandilands is no stranger to controversy. Like his fellow ‘shock-jock’, Alan Jones, he courts and side-steps it like rugby player James Tedesco outfoots opponents on the playing field. In the past this has resulted in several suspensions and, like Jones’ recent insult calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to choke the NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern with a sock, caused advertisers to withdraw financial backing. Sandilands most controversial suspension came in August 2009 after he attached a 14-year-old girl to a lie-detector on-air and then asked her about her sexual experiences. When the young girl revealed she’d been a victim of rape, Sandilands asked “Right. Is that the only experience you’ve had?”

Sandilands’ audience were unfazed by him belittling a girl’s rape but blasphemy is unacceptable Despite the suspension, the Kyle and Jackie O Show maintained their number-one ratings, and the program grew in popularity. This suggested its audience were apparently unfazed by a powerful man belittling a little girl’s rape ordeal. However, when it comes to religion, making a blasphemous remark is unacceptable.

Kyle might have said something offensive enough to finally knock him off his throne. Photo: Wikimedia

Folau sacked, Sandilands next? Georgie Clark, leading the demonstration outside the KIIS FM studio, announced in a video release, “Israel Folau can get sacked for discriminating against the LGB community, how

come Kyle isn’t accountable for the same reason? Just remember that commercial radio have [sic] a Code of Conduct. Clause 214, everyone read up about it, about discrimination against religion. He should be accountable for it.”

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Clark also told the Daily Telegraph, “‘Kyle from 106.5 KIIS FM went and discriminated against not only one religion but two. What is the difference between offending a homosexual or a thief or a liar or an adulterer or a fornicator like Israel Folau did? But when it comes to religion they just want to sweep us under the carpet.” Coincidentally, Israel Folau, sacked from the national Wallabies’ rugby union team for making anti-homosexual comments on social media – he insisted gay people were sinners who would face damnation unless they repented – is back in the news this week. The rugby star, banned from international rugby union, plans to return to international rugby league playing for the Tongan national team. Alan Jones stepped up to Folau’s defence again, stating on 24 September: “Any person in any form of administration is trying to stop him playing. He must be some kind of criminal, is he? What has Israel done except profess his Christian faith?” Sandiland’s radio partner at KIIS FM, Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, who co-hosts the top-rating morning program Kyle and Jackie O Show, when discussing how they defected from 2Day Fm to Mix 1065 FM, told Mumbrella: “Thank God for Kyle, because he makes these big moves. He would be great in Survivor, he really would. He makes big moves and he does it for selfpreservation and it’s worked every time.” However, this time he may have bitten the hand that feeds, because he offended Alan Jones’ bedrock supporters - the conservative, religious right - which usually excuse the verbal vomits Sandilands and Jones dish up to provoke the liberal left. And they don’t take kindly to being called “dumb as dog shit,” not even Jones.

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NRMA candidate warned BY ANDREW CHUTER The NRMA’s Returning Officer has issued a warning to one of the two candidates for the Harbour Region because information about his candidacy appeared on an anti-Westconnex Facebook site, a site that the candidate has no control over and has never visited. The NRMA Candidates Code of Conduct 2019 Election of Directors Rule H 7. Social Media and the Internet states “Candidates must not permit any organisation or body (other than the NRMA) to display or include material on its websites or social media platforms, or in its emails, about the Candidate or any other Candidate (and, to the extent Candidates are able to do so, must prevent this from occurring)”. Mr Peter Hehir, who is the convenor of Rozelle resident group RAW (Rozelle Against WestConnex) says he “Doesn’t use Facebook, nor does he have any idea, or even want to know how Facebook works”. RAW however does have a Facebook site which can only be accessed by RAW Facebook members. Mr Hehir says “He has never seen it, nor does he have a clue how it operates. Two members of RAW’s Executive are the site’s sole admin officers and they have total control over the content and operation of the page. All members of RAW are eligible to join, provided they agree with RAW’s Mission Statement and Code of Conduct”. The NRMA warning referred to a post on another site. No tunnel vision Mr Hehir is worried that others among the tens of thousands in the Harbour Region who are genuinely concerned at the many negative impacts of WestConnex; which includes the yet to be approved Stage 4 - aka the Western Harbour Tunnel - may also

Peter Hehir facing arrest in Rozelle, 2016, during opposition to the WestConnex tollroad. Photo: Holly Gorman

unwittingly post something supporting his candidacy which may jeopardise his campaign. Mr Hehir requests that his supporters not post anything on any group, body or organisation’s social media site about his involvement with the NRMA elections.

I have a duty to campaign against the yet-to-be-approved Western Harbour Tunnel and not fall foul of the NRMA Election Rules “Offers of support from individuals are most welcome but further social media posts such as the one that came to the attention of the Returning Officer could well impact on my candidacy. If this practice were to be repeated it could conceivably

even hand the Harbour Region to Mr Trumper, without the need of an election and 315,000 NRMA members wouldn’t get the opportunity to consider an alternative perspective.” The rules for candidates do allow an individual to email, tweet or Instagram election material in support of a candidate, as long as it’s not on a group’s site. However Candidates aren’t permitted “to send an email or text message to someone that they don’t know” as this is also a breach and contravenes the NRMA Candidates Code of Conduct 2019 Election of Directors Rule F. Mr Hehir says “It’s tough enough to mount a campaign - let alone one against a sitting Director who is also the Chairman of the NRMA - when Candidates are prevented from “making any statements endorsing, or referring to, the intentions, polices or objectives of any organisation or body (other than the NRMA)”.

Campaigner campaigns This appears to restrict Mr Hehir from talking about the specific policies of RAW and only allows him to speak in general terms about the broader community based campaign against WestConnex, provided that no direct reference is made to the policies of any of the anti-WestConnex groups. “This does place me in a difficult position” says Mr Hehir. “Clearly I have a duty to the members of RAW to continue to campaign against the yetto-be-approved Western Harbour Tunnel - which was formally known as Stage 4 of WestConnex before WestConnex as a brand became toxic and at the same time not fall foul of the NRMA Election Rules. “I believe it’s really important that members of the NRMA be given sufficient information to enable them to cast an informed vote, including making them aware of my association with RAW”. The rules for the election give the NRMA the absolute right to terminate a candidate’s campaign for any deliberate breach of the rules. The NRMA Candidates Code of Conduct 2019 Election of Directors Rule J. Breach of this Code states that; “If a Candidate commits a breach of this Code, NRMA may take such action as it considers necessary to enforce compliance with this Code, and may, at its discretion, also terminate the candidacy of that Candidate (which means that the person will not be able to continue to stand for election, and will cease to be a candidate, in the 2019 election of Directors). In making any decision under this section, NRMA is not required to give the Candidate any notice or opportunity of being heard, providing any explanations, furnishing any evidence, or making any objection. A decision of NRMA under this section is final and Candidates will have no right of appeal.”

Upton votes against Abortion Bill BY VANESSA LIM Liberal Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton voted against the abortion bill after Premier Gladys Berejikilian caved in to her conservative colleagues in the Liberal Party and allowed a conscience vote on the bill. This allowed politicians a vote based on their personal moral and ethical beliefs and did not attach politicians to the position of their political party or that of their electorate. Speaking in the NSW parliament, Ms Upton defended her vote against the abortion bill: “...my fundamental concern with this bill is that it codifies late-term abortion. The question that I have truly wrestled with is: When is an unborn foetus human? At 22 weeks and beyond I believe it is a human—it is a baby.” “Sensitive” ethical issues While Ms Upton’s main concern is that a foetus at 22 weeks and beyond is considered human, the proposed bill would allow women to seek an abortion up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. After that, other factors would have to be considered by professional practitioners. Women seeking an abortion after 22 weeks would have their medical, social and psychological circumstances taken into account. Moreover, unless it was a medical emergency, doctors would need to consult a second professional on lateterm abortion. Ms Upton referred to her own experience as a mother and said she sympathised with her electorate’s views. “The Bill raises sensitive ethical and

moral issues so the Premier gave MPs a conscience vote. That said, lots of residents reached out to me and it is fair to say they hold strong views both for and against the bill. I thank them for taking me into their confidence, especially with their personal stories. The debate inside Parliament has been respectful and heartfelt and we are at our best when we do that.” While Ms Upton claimed she listened to both sides of the debate, Vaucluse local Karen Weis was not told how her local MP would vote after multiple attempts to contact her. Once she found out, Ms Weis said she wasn’t told why MP Gabrielle Upton had voted against the bill and didn’t feel that Ms Upton had given her a hearing.

Voting against this bill leaves women seeking abortions as criminals “Before the vote came up, I emailed her and didn’t hear anything back from her. Then I emailed her again after the vote had been taken and didn’t hear anything back. I have emailed her previously on two different occasions about certain issues and she’s always replied. I rang her office and then just got stonewalled by the person I spoke to, who just kept reiterating that ‘it’s a conscience vote, it’s a conscience vote, it’s a conscience vote’.” Ms Weis was surprised that an answer as to why Ms Upton had voted a certain way couldn’t be given. Although conscience votes are based

on the personal beliefs of the individual MP and not on the electorate position, it didn’t stop Ms Weis from feeling unrepresented. She was not alone on this issue. An overwhelming percentage of Liberal voters support the abortion bill in NSW: 72% of Liberal voters agree that abortions should not be criminal according to the NSW ProChoice Alliance and Fair Agenda online survey of 1018 voters in the last NSW election. Results from this poll also concluded that 37% of Liberal voters would be less likely to vote for their Liberal candidate if he or she voted against removing abortion from the Crimes Act. Abortion is still listed under the NSW Criminals Act 1900. Tension within the NSW Liberal Party has continued to brew, with some politicians such as federal Liberal MP Tony Abbott labelling the bill as “infanticide’” and leaving Liberal Premier Gladys Berejikilian, who supports the bill, in an uncomfortable position. Women face criminal charges The conservative party members are the biggest hurdle in getting the bill passed that would allow women to have an abortion without facing criminal charges. Drawing on her own experience, Ms Upton said in her speech, “My babies had loving homes awaiting them. I know that not every pregnancy is like that, I know that I was fortunate.” While she acknowledged that not

Liberal Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

all pregnancies are happy ones and agreed that women seeking abortion needed “practical support,” she still voted against the bill. Ms Upton’s personal joy as a mother does not represent the people who need this bill the most. By not moving forward with this bill, illegal

and unsafe abortions will continue to take place in NSW, putting women who see no other option in jeopardy. Voting against this bill denies women safe access to abortion clinics and classifies those who don’t have doctors’ approval for abortion as a criminal if they attempt to have one. city hub 26 SEPTEMBER 2019

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FEATURE

Honour Roll

Chris Pycroft (Young Acheiver 2016) Photo: John McRae

By Madison Behringer Since its conception in 2007, the annual ACON Honour Awards have celebrated outstanding service to, and achievements within, the LGBTIQ community in New South Wales and Australia wide. This year, 30 incredible individuals and community groups will be celebrated at the annual ACON Awards ceremony in Sydney, held at the Ivy Ballroom on Wednesday. The not-for-profit award ceremony also doubles as a fundraising gala for programs and services offered by ACON, who is NSW’s leading organisation for community health, inclusion and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders. Each year, 32 finalists are selected from over 200 nominations across nine different categories including business, health, HIV, youth, community, visual arts, entertainment, media and culture. Four finalists from each category will join over 300 guests in the Ivy Ballroom this week, with the winners being announced on the night. A silent auction will also be held with items on offer including luxury holidays, art, furniture, jewellery, five-star dining, accommodation and entertainment packages. Each year the commitment and caliber of the nominees flourishes, with judges finding it harder and harder to narrow their selection down to just 32 finalists. ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said: “As always, selecting the finalists was an extremely difficult

process for our community panel because the achievements, contributions and work of all the nominees had each been noteworthy in their own way.” The 2019 ACON Honour Awards will feature finalists from a wide variety of fields, community groups, ages and regions, with awards including the Young Achiever Award, the Community Organisation Award and many more. The awards night is a beautiful combination of glam, gala and pure celebration of individuals and community groups that are achieving amazing things within the LGBTIQ community. “I congratulate all the finalists and look forward to them and other members of our communities coming together to celebrate their collective achievements at the 2019 Honour Awards ceremony,” said Parkhill of this year’s event. In 2015, the ACON Community Hero Award was awarded to Steph Sands, who over a period of more than 15 years spent her time supporting and rebuilding multiple LGBTIQ community organisations. In 2002, Steph helped to rebuild the Mardi Gras organisation after it went into administration, while also founding Women Say Something, a platform that worked to engage and encourage women in their communities. “I’m incredibly humbled to have received the Community Hero Award in 2015,” Steph said, going on to say, “I didn’t expect an award or even a nomination… but it was very emotional to be recognised for the work I had put in in this way.”

Steph Sands (Community Hero 2015) Photo: John McRae

Steph spoke about her work within Women Say Something, outlining the vision of the platform, saying: “There was a real need in the community at the time for an avenue for women’s voices to be heard. We [the WSS team] tried very hard to ensure equity across all elements of the events, from diversity in speakers to price points for audiences. The goal was to enable a platform for free thought and issues to be discussed in an environment where everyone was welcomed and safe.” Steph’s work with the Mardi Gras organisation and her work within Women Say Something were only part of what led her to be nominated for the Community Hero Award in 2015. Steph has worked tirelessly throughout her career to ensure the celebration and equality of all members of the LGBTIQ community. Steph describes ACON as, “an over-arching protective parent that sees all but knows when to jump in and help!” and says that the work that each year’s Honours Awards nominees are doing is, “important work that sometimes can’t be seen in other organisations or institutions within the community… all are heroes and deserve the honour.” Chris Pycroft has worked in the non-profit community sector for most of his career, and in 2016 he was awarded the Young Achiever Award at the annual ACON ceremony. Chris was nominated for his work in the engagement and inclusion of all LGBTIQ community members,

including those with disabilities or mental health issues. Since receiving the award, Chris worked untiringly for Australian Marriage Equality on the Yes campaign and continues to work for the inclusion and equality of LGBTIQ people in their workplaces. “I got involved with supporting people in our communities because I could see so many people I knew struggling, and knew I had to do something to help. It’s so incredibly special to be able to give back and be able to hopefully make an impact,” said Chris, when reflecting on the ACON Honour Award experience.“It’s vital that we look out for ourselves, look out for each other, and have access to support whenever we need it.” Chris spoke about the incredible work that ACON are doing, not only through the Honours Award platform, saying: “The work that ACON does is so incredibly vital – whether it be through public campaigns, their counselling programs or support in rural and regional communities, not many organisations have the capability and reach that ACON does. They’ve been instrumental in achieving some hugely positive progress in health outcomes for LGBTIQ people over recent years, and I hope their work is able to continue for many years to come.” Tickets are still available for the annual ACON Honours Awards Ceremony, with the event being an unmissable night of cocktails, celebration and entertainment.

Oct 2. Ivy Ballroom, 330 George Street, Sydney. $75-$150+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.honourawards.com.au city hub 26 SEPTEMBER 2019

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Art Attack Guess who’s back, back again? #ArtAttack, tell a friend! You’ve created a monster, ‘cause nobody knows where Sydney’s nosiest, most inquisitive social influencer will pop up next! This week’s stage scene has been dominated by news from the world of dance. First up we had the opening of registrations for the next instalment of DirtyFeet’s The Right Foot program opening. The Right Foot program is a FREE series of creative contemporary dance workshops for people with, and without, disabilities between the ages of 14-30 years. For the first time ever this year’s program, which runs from Oct 5 to Nov 2, will culminate in a live performance by participants at the Monkey Baa Theatre. Register now at www.dirtyfeet.com.au For something a little more immediate Art Attack will be donning their finest tutu and heading up to Chatswood to witness the 2019 Australian Ballet School showcase. The Australian Ballet School’s muchloved annual showcase will feature a program of exquisite dance ranging from pure classical ballet through to contemporary works by over 100 of Australia’s future ballet superstars. Sep 27-28.The Concourse, 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood. $47-$65+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.ticketek.com.au

Cirque Du Soleil - Kurios The circus is coming to town, however, this is not just any circus.This is the amazing Cirque Du Soleil with yet another dazzling show to tantalise, enthuse and inspire our hearts, souls, and minds.An energetic force field of magic to be reckoned with. A Cabinet Of Curiosities to be analysed, philosophised and immortalised as fantastical characters from another portal in time invade the world of the present. Characters like Klara The Telegraph Of The Invisible and Mr Microcosmos And Acronet. Characters that embody the dreams of the future at the turn of the century symbolising the incredible changes brought about by the industrial revolution. Klara receives alpha waves, turning on her heels and pointing her antenna hooped skirt depicting the invention of the

half has to be moved by train. The big top takes 10 days to assemble and 120 strong men and women need to be employed for this task alone.“ Anyone and everyone who works with Cirque Du Soleil describes it as one big happy family so proud and happy to be doing what they love. People come from all corners of the globe to join. Kazu Ikeda (Klara) who has just joined the show has been away from Japan for 15 years and has previously been a dancer in music videos for the likes of Britney Spears and Mariah Carey. Mathieu Hubener (Mr Microcosmos) is a French acrobat who joined up for Saltimbanco in 2010 and hasn’t looked back. Michel Laprise, director of Kurios - Cabinet Of Curiosities, joined in 2000 said,“I hope the show will inspire and bring joy to everyone who

REVIEW: John Annie Baker’s plays are long - very long - and they often have an indiscernible plot arc, banal dialogue, and inexplicable pauses in conversations. It’s her style and you either love it or hate it.You’ll want to decide that before you commit to the three and a half hours of John, now playing at the Seymour Centre. Set in a quaint, slightly out of the way BnB in the historic tourist town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Mertis (Belinda Giblin), is the elderly owner who seemingly runs the place on her own, although she says she has a sick, bed-ridden husband whom we never actually see. A young couple arrives at the hotel having booked online. Elias (James Bell) is tall, long-haired, bespectacled, Jewish and, as we discover,

Belinda Giblin. Photo: Clare Hawle

reactive and over-sensitive. His girlfriend, Jenny (Shuang Hu) is petite, awkward, Asian and, as we discover, unfiltered and indiscreet. Both are youthfully intense and given to melodrama. The fourth on-stage character is Genevieve (Maggie

enters into our special realm of reality under our big top.” (RLD) Oct 2-Nov 24. Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. $80-$355+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.cirquedusoleil.com

Blinco), Metis’ best friend, an old, blind, cantankerous woman, perhaps several paces to the side of sane. She contributes to much of the comedy. Giblin is utterly engaging and busting at the seams of her sadly underwritten character. The set is the most impressive thing about this production. It comprises a small dining area, sitting room, hallway and part of a staircase. The furniture is old world and garish ornaments, souvenirs, and porcelain dolls clutter every inch of display space. “Tchotchkes” also pepper the plot: tidbits of information and activity that seemingly have no purpose. Perhaps, just like the room full of curiosities, if you look hard enough at the plot you’ll find something interesting. (RB) Until Oct 12. Seymour Centre, Cnr Cleveland St & City Rd, Chippendale. $38-$47+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.seymourcentre.com

Andrew Schulz - The Matador

Dame Edna - My Gorgeous Life

up over 129 million views on YouTube. This Thursday, Andrew will bring his newest show The Matador to the Factory Theatre in Sydney. Marking his debut Australian tour, Andrew will be bringing his unapologetic and hysterical stand-up comedy to the stage. Andrew’s debut comedy album 551 hit number one on all music platforms when released last year, and his podcasts are played over 400K times each episode. As the world’s fastest growing comedian, The Matador is this New York comedian Andrew year’s stand-up show that’s Schulz has cemented himself not to be missed. With his as the fastest growing standcomedy style not holding up comedian online, racking anything back, Andrew will

Dame Edna Everage is up there with Skippy as an enduring Australian icon. The blue-rinse housewife from Moonee Ponds who rose out of suburbia and into megastardom and dame-hood has been gracing screen and stage for over six decades. When she announced her retirement a few years ago, it caused such tumult that she has now been forced to renounce her retirement and once again share her spooky aura with her multitude of adoring fans. Dame Edna will again be touring her new show, My Gorgeous Life, nationally, however, she’s not giving any clues as to what audiences can expect.

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telegraph and the gramophone. While Mr Microcosmos is the embodiment of the technological revolution, running full steam ahead. His costume is the front of a steam engine and apparently there is a little woman inside telling him what to do. Sue Maloney, marketing manager for Cirque Du Soleil, explained the amount of hard work and planning it takes to get a show of this magnitude on tour. “In every city we visit we employ not only new performers, but a whole team of costume people, stage managers, technical advisors, set construction engineers and, of course, publicity, promotion, marketing people. Then there is the transport. Apparently in Sydney we don’t have enough trucks available to transport all the costumes, tents, props and sets,

city hub 26 SEPTEMBER 2019

leave you in hysterics with his not-so-politically-correct content and in-your-face delivery. The Matador is set to bring to light Andrew’s plethora of comedic analogies, and ultimately unveil his hilarious and honest take on today’s society and culture. “If you’re listening to Andrew Schulz and his musings, it’s hard to turn him off. His fervency is loud. His analogies are strong and hard to refute.” – Beyond The Interview. (MB) Sep 26 & 29,The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville. $40. Tickets & Info: www.vervepromotions.co

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STAGE SCENE Sounds SCREEN

“I don’t know what to expect from it either. I won’t know until I’m up on the stage,” says the Dame. One thing is for sure, there will be the usual luminous glamour and surgically precise wit. Another thing for sure will be the absence of her former manager, Barry Humphries, with whom Dame Edna has had an acrimonious parting. “My relationship with him is pretty well non-existent. He plays no part in my life. He once pretended to be my manager, but frankly, show business is not his field,” she explains with disdain. Despite being at an advanced point in her prime, she is determined to convince naysayers that she is still as

Arts Editor: Jamie Apps For more A&E stories go to cityhubsydney.com.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @AltMediaSydney

magnificent as ever. “I’m going to show you all that I’ve still got what it takes, possums!” (RB) Sep 28-29 & Oct 5. ICC, 14 Darling Dr, Darling Harbour. $75-$170+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.tegdainty.com

Contributors: Irina Dunn, Mark Morellini, Rita Bratovich, Madison Behringer, Allison Hore, Renee Lou Dallow, Alannah Maher.

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Art Attack Newtown really is a wacky and unique suburb. Perhaps that is why Art Attack feels so at home there? What better way to celebrate this wackiness than by attending the upcoming Newtown Festival, which announced its official date this week. Take a note out of Art Attacks folio and pencil in a reminder to yourself that the Newtown Festival will take place at Camperdown Memorial Rest Park on Nov 10 this year. Before November though all of the fine fillies, of which Art Attack is most certainly one, will be heading to the races since it’s official Spring Racing Carnival season now. The season kicked off last weekend with Stakes Day at Royal Randwick, where Art Attack scoped out Kate Waterhouse, Sam Frost, Rachel Griffiths, Cyrell Pauly and Miss Universe Australia 2018 Francesca Hung all strutting their stuff on the turf. Speaking of ladies, it is International Day Of The Girl on Oct 11. As such LEGO Australia has informed Art Attack that they will be hosting a special interactive event which they hope will inspire the next generation of Australian girls. Play Her Way is a fun celebration of imagination and creativity to remind girls that they can now, more than ever, play by their own rules and be whatever they want. LEGO will bring to life the worlds of sport, science, art & design, entertainment and adventure through a colourful variety of interactive experiences, that encourages girls to let their imaginations run wild and explore all of the things they love. Oct 1-2. Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay, Sydney. FREE. Tickets & Info: www. legoplayherway.eventbrite.com.au If you’re planning to attend all of these fabulous events you’re going to need to fill your body with some top quality fuel, and luckily enough Art Attack has just the right stuff for you. Renowned chef Matt Moran’s restaurant Aria has just announced a special 20th Anniversary Tasting Menu, which already has Art Attack salivating all over their keyboard as they type. For more info on the menu head to www.ariasydney.com.au

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GILDING THE THUNDER BOX! With Coffin Ed It was the sort of ostentatious item that would not be out of place in Donald Trump’s Trump tower apartment where just about everything is gilded in gold. It was in fact once offered to Trump to purchase, but maybe the $5 million price tag was even a tad too much for the self proclaimed billionaire. So what are we talking about – a toilet in fact! But not just any old dunny. Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan’s celebrated installation piece, titled America, is supposedly a comment on modern day excess. Duchamp had to settle for plain old porcelain but Cattelan had nothing but pure gold. ‘Had’ of course is the operative because it’s now worldwide news that thieves recently broke into the UK’s Blenheim Palace and whisked the elegant crapper away, causing considerable flood damage in the process. Whilst a number of arrests have been made at the time of writing the celebrated bowl has yet to be recovered. Whether it’s been melted down for scrap or flogged off to some Russian mafia boss remains to be seen. Patrons of the arts will surely be disappointed because the ‘active’ installation actually allowed punters a three-minute use of the facility, regardless of their urgency at the time. Here in Australia, it’s hard to separate what many see as an act of criminal theft from our own innate sense of toilet humour. Whilst all countries probably have their unique brand of scatological mirth, we pride ourselves on a robust tradition of poo and dunny jokes. The iconic Australian outside toilet, affectionately known as the ‘thunder box’ has been immortalised in numerous books, bush balladry, films and

songs such as Slim Newtown’s Red Back On The Toilet Seat. Euphemisms abound such as “sinking the sausage”, “flashing the nasty” and “pointing Percy at the Porcelain” – all made famous in the Barry McKenzie movies. More recently the 2006 mockumentary Kenny, about a plumber who maintains portable loos, added even more to this lexicon of (forgive the expression), ‘shithouse frivolity”. Complimenting these idiomatic gems is an equally creative school of Australian rhyming slang such as “Going For An Edgar” (you work it out) – a reference to the late jockey Edgar

REVIEW: The Prince

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THE NAKED CITY

city hub 26 SEPTEMBER 2019

David Marr’s third update of his 2013 The Prince: Faith, Abuse and George Pell leaves no room for doubt on Pell’s guilt. The book now opens with the disgraced cardinal being sent down to Melbourne’s city prison, leaving behind him a litany of lives wrecked by his own hands, those of his colleagues and by the church for which he had lied for so many years to protect. With the forensic eye of the skilled investigative reporter that he is, Marr never strays from the evidence as it is presented to build a case against the highest official in the Roman Catholic Church to be charged with child abuse and its systematic coverup. Behind the arrogance and coldness of this towering figure is the might of the Church determined to protect the guilty so it may

survive at all cost. Marr exposes Pell’s ruthless ambitions that are rooted more in the traditions of the House Of Borgia than the humility of the Christ Child. Victim after victim are dismissed as Pell’s rises to the highest positions in Melbourne, Sydney and eventually the Vatican, all the while denying any wrongdoing by himself of the Church. The fact that Pell could flourish and have such a fruitful career owed as much to the silence and acquiescence of a corrupt police service, judiciary, and an unbelieving public. This is a study for our times as a giant figure and a mighty institution are brought to heel on the testimony of the weakest, the victims. (JMo)

Britt, who was quite happy to acknowledge the irreverent and rather cheeky use of his name. From Duchamp’s urinal, through Catellan’s now missing toilet bowl, to the much-loved Cloaca Poop Machine at Hobart’s MONA, scatology and art are a potent and popular combination. If this leads to a demystification of what is very much a natural body function, and more people mailing in their bowel cancer test kits, then all the better. There is perhaps an argument to suggest that the theft of the solid gold toilet in the UK was an act of conceptual art in itself

and perhaps the whole thing will turn out to be a kind of Banksy style hoax. Maybe the missing toot will take on a Lord Lucan persona, with sightings reported all over the world. A can of gold spray paint and you could turn any porcelain model into an 18 karat beauty. This could easily become an Instagram sensation with thousands of photos posted online. And even though he was declared dead in 2016, come up with a pic of the elusive Lord, sitting on a spray-painted loo, and you will have really struck gold!

Photo: Gary Heery

Jimmy Barnes

By Jamie Apps Throughout his career rock and roll legend Jimmy Barnes has continued to raise the bar. His latest release, My Criminal Record, has been no different. Upon its release My Criminal Record immediately rocketed to the top of the album charts, making it Barnes’ 16th number one album and the most ever in Australia. Despite its success, Barnes told City Hub this record was a success in his eyes even before release.

“The best thing about My Criminal Record is that I made the record I wanted to make. I feel like I got everything I wanted to say down on record, so it was successful for me already.The fact that it then went out, sold well and had people connecting with it is a really good thing.” This mindset is something which Barnes said a younger version of himself never would have been able to have. “For years and years, I was one of those people who always measured my self-worth externally. If other people liked something I made then I thought I was worth something. I’m not so much like that anymore.” When Barnes speaks about this record being “the record he wanted to make” he is referring to both the subject material and the method used to record the tracks. Barnes explained to City Hub that he was inspired to write My Criminal Record when he was writing his bestselling memoirs, Working Class Boy and Working

Art Attack The music scene in Sydney this week has been buzzing thanks to shows coming up over the course of the next few days and with some very exciting announcements for later down the line. Tomorrow Sydneysiders can head out and see some of the brightest upcoming songwriting

talent at The Newsagency when it plays host to the semi-finals of the 2019 Songwriting Prize. The Songwriting Prize is Australia’s first mental health songwriting competition and looks to shine a light on mental health through positive songs supporting the theme of “songs that heal.” If you prefer a much more grand and lavish experience, like Art Attack, then head on over to LazyBones Lounge on Wednesday for the Sonic Mayhem Orchestra. After a brief sabbatical the

Ride Like A Girl

When you already know how the story ends yet still grip the seat in suspense during the final scenes, then you know you’re watching a well made film. Rachel Griffiths’ directorial debut is pure eloquence in storytelling. Michelle Payne’s

2015 Melbourne Cup win was remarkable, not only because she was the first female jockey to achieve this, but because of the life events that preceded the legendary ride. Payne is played by Teresa Palmer who gives an engaging, highly credible

Class Man. The memoir process was something which Barnes described as both a difficult but positive time in his life. “Writing those books was such a process, but it was also really great for me… I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I wrote about things that had been killing me for years, and things that I had been running from for years.” My Criminal Record may have been inspired by the memoirs but Barnes is quick to say that whilst he “was writing about the same subject matter” it was “from a different perspective.” Barnes says this because the record was polished and finalised long after the books, so he was “through the thick of it and could see the light.” In regards to the recording process, Barnes also chose to simplify his approach with My Criminal Record. He did this by looking close to home, choosing to record with his live band rather than outside musicians.

performance. Sam Neil has the right balance of gravitas and suppressed paternal affection as single parent of 10 children, Paddy Payne. Making an impressive scenestealing debut is Stevie Payne playing himself. The rest of the cast is peppered with high calibre actors and familiar faces, but the film doesn’t rely on big names; it relies on big heart. Beautifully photographed, well-paced, and written with warmth, humour, and carefully meted emotion, this film hearkens back to a golden age of Australian cinema. (RB)

WWWW

“I wanted to write songs and record songs that would fit into my live set and that I’d be able to easily play live every night of the week, Barnes explained before continuing excitedly, “So to do that I had to use my live band, which includes my son, my son-in-law and my girls. These are all people I’ve worked with for 20 or 30 years so they knew exactly what I wanted to deliver on stage and they helped me get that really easily.” According to Barnes, this approach allowed him and his band to record this album almost entirely live. Something which Barnes said is crucial to preventing songs becoming “too sterile” and thus losing their character. “Songs are like people. The things that differentiate people are normally their flaws. So it’s the little bumps and stuff that isn’t perfect that make these songs so great.” Oct 5. Hordern Pavilion, 1 Driver Ave, Moore Park. $99.90-$119.90+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.playbillvenues.com.au

group is back with a show paying tribute to the Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin, as we approach 12 months since her tragic passing. Expect to hear all the classics along with a bunch of super cool less known b-sides performed in a way that is only possibly with the 14 piece funk machine of Sonic Mayhem Orchestra. Oct 2. LazyBones Lounge, 294 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville. $25. Info: www.lazyboneslounge.com.au

Ad Astra

Set some time in ‘the near future’ this science fiction film has been described as one of the most realistic films in its genre, with astounding sets and computer-generated imagery. The story surrounds astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) whose father Clifford (Tommy Lee Jones) was hailed a legend and the most decorated astronaut who ventured

deepest into outer space in search of intelligent life. Clifford disappeared 16 years into his doomed expedition and now the project he was working on threatens the very existence of the universe. Roy embarks on a classified mission to find his father who disappeared near Neptune and in the process must disengage his project.

Was Clifford a hero, foe or monster? Did space break him or was he already a broken man? Brad Pitt delivers his best performance to date as the man who suffers mentally from the sins of his father. As the story progresses and the shady elements become apparent, Roy questions whether he wants to find his father or be free of him. Ad Astra is predominantly a journey through space film but the psychological journey through Roy’s mind is what will arrest audiences in this dark and very depressing must-see film. (MMo)

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DIIV - Deceiver The rock group DIIV is set to release its latest full-length album titled Deceiver in October. The group’s new single Skin Game has already been well received by listeners, garnering praise for its strong guitar riffs and overall smooth rhythm. Skin Game is a deeply personal song about struggling with addiction and the rehab process. The album as a whole sticks with this introspective theme, creating a strikingly transparent and reflective ambiance. With three out of the four DIIV members being strong guitarists, Deceiver contains many impressive runs of featured guitar portions as well as solid background instrumentals. Highlights from Deceiver include Like Before You Were Born and Between the Tides, both of which generate a keen feeling of self-awareness. In essence, Deceiver is DIIV’s way of taking fans with them through their redemptive journey of rebirth out of the ashes – a journey they will not soon forget. (EE) WWWW

In terms of announcements Art Attack’s little birds have informed us that John Butler and Alfa Mist will both be gracing stages in Sydney later this year. Conversely for John Butler, the upcoming stop at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre in Rooty Hill on Dec 20 will be one of many stops in Sydney this year, but it will be his last for the year.

Art Attack Art Attack is starting to believe that Sydney cinephiles may be some of the most spoilt in the world for choice. Beginning next Wednesday they will have access to an incredible program of Japanese classics thanks to the Japanese Film Festival’s special satellite program. The Classic Program celebrates Japan’s distinctly unnerving take on the horror film genre, through screenings of films such as Kwaidan by Masaki Kobayashi and The Ghost Story Of Yotsuya by Nobuo Nakagawa. Tickets are available now at www.japanesefilmfestival.net If you’ve got kids though perhaps terrifying Japanese films aren’t the best option for you and your family. Thankfully Event Cinemas have a school holiday program which kicks off on Saturday and runs through to Oct 14. The program will feature the very best familyfriendly blockbuster films, as well as a range of FREE film-themed arts and crafts activities. Finally, if you consider yourself a cinema aficionado on the same level as Art Attack then you should snag your Sydney Film Festival 2020 Flexipasses now! Get in early to secure access to the best films, and as an added bonus save between $40 and $200. Remember if you’ve got any tidbits to share, send them Art Attack’s way, at #HubAttack.

city hub 26 SEPTEMBER 2019