Volume 28 #48 Tuesday, May 13, 2014 Phone 02 6684 1777 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week
CAB AUDIT
IF YOU NEED VIOLENCE TO ENFORCE YOUR IDEAS, YOUR IDEAS ARE WORTHLESS – #BENTLEYBLOCKADE
Erosion of Inside Daniel civil liberties Champagne this – p15 week interview – p20
The Arts Best damn gig guide are alive in for the best damn Byron – p24 gigs – p26
Game of Throwns – p40–41
Local MP supports her govt on gas Hans Lovejoy
Again state parliament was in disarray last week with resignations, slush funds, bribe allegations and dodgy appointments debated. But one other item stood out. Lennox Head-based upper house MLC Catherine Cusack (Liberal) lashed out at comments by Labor’s Walt Secord in parliament after Mr Secord said Thomas George (Nationals member for Lismore) is ‘a fierce opponent of the Bentley blockade’.
Lennox Head-based upper house MLC Catherine Cusack (Liberal)
Mr Secord also told parliament Mr George’s son, Stuart, is the community relations manager for Metgasco. ‘This is the bloke who does spin for Metgasco,’ he said. That prompted Ms Cusack to call out across the floor, ‘withdraw that disgraceful smear.’ When asked for clarification on why it was a smear, Ms Cusack told The Echo, ‘The imputation made was to smear Mr George’s reputation and integrity.’ However when asked if it was a conflict of interest that Mr George’s son, Stuart George, is Met-
p18 –19
Billy Cart Derby
THE BYRON SHIRE
gasco’s communications relations manager, she declined to comment. Ms Cusack also declined to comment on whether she thought the fossil fuel industry unfairly influences politics and would not say whether she supported lobbyist or donation reform. But when asked who she supported – either the protesting Bentley residents or her government – she paused and replied, ‘I support my government’s position.’ Despite being cautious with her words, Ms Cusack did elaborate on how the expansion of mining has become a hot-button issue. ‘The mining licences were issued by [former disgraced Labor MP] Ian McDonald. I can’t recall how many throughout NSW but there are a lot. ‘When I saw the map I was very surprised. He took upfront payments from mining companies for the licences, so this has become their legal right. But we have changed that, so now that money is not upfront.’ Ms Cusack was also cagey on whether there is any public support for Metgasco’s planned Bentley operation, apart from Liberal and Nationals MPs themselves. ‘I would personally like to have seen a different approach and wish there had been better engagement earlier in this,’ she said.
Bentley red alert: May 19 Blockade organisers say over 700 police are set to descend on the community anti-CSG blockade at Bentley on or around May 19. Protectors are asked to participate in non-violent direct action.
Byron Shire Council Notices Page 39
Rail trail or bust
It was a pleasant family stroll along part of the proposed rail trail for The Space Cowboy, Zoe La’more and Scarlet Showbiz Wild. Photo Jeff ‘Spaced, And Yes, A Cowboy Too’ Dawson
To celebrate the first anniversary that the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) committee was formed, a fundraising event will be held Saturday May 24 at the Byron Entertainment Centre/Circus Arts. ‘Ten years ago the railway line from Murwillumbah to Casino closed,’ says co-organiser Marie Lawton. ‘And one year ago a committee was formed to resurrect the beautiful corridor for a rail trail, something that
everyone can use. Dozens of such conversions throughout Australia have already proven to be very beneficial to their host communities.’ The event will include a meal, live music from Tim Shanasy and Sarah Field, DJ Manie, pop up circus acts, an appearance by the Space Cowboy, a slide and film show, guest speakers from NRRT and fabulous prizes. For bookings visit www.circusarts.com.au/byronbay/railtrail.
Lightforce closes its doors In a move that has shocked and surprised the local Apple users’ community, Lightforce Computers, an iconic Byron business for the last 22 years, had to close its doors and wind up trading this past week. Sagaro, the founder and managing director, told The Echo the sudden decision was due to economic factors beyond Lightforce’s control. ‘The decision was made when Lightforce’s Apple product distributer was acquired by another com-
puter distributor,’ he said. ‘This new owner had no interest in continuing the wholesale distribution of Apple’s products.
Other Apple resellers face similar situations ‘However, this was not mentioned until they advised me they would terminate Apple product shipments the next day.’ In phone calls to other Apple
resellers around Australia, Sagaro says he has found that quite a few are in similar situations with the new owners. ‘It’s a case of big fish being swallowed up by bigger fish, and we minnows were left as a dying species within the tech food chain’, Sagaro said. ‘In addition, small Applespecific shops like ours have seen several income streams lost over the recent years as Apple kept “changing continued on page 2