An update on "Gay Panic" loophole!

Back on the 18th of this month I wrote THIS post.  Well, looky what I just had arrive in my inbox from Change.org where I found the original petition:

“We’re changing the Criminal Code to remove doubts about the so-called “gay panic” defence” -- QLD Premier Anna Bligh via Twitter on Wednesday.

Huge news! The Queensland Government has committed to closing the “gay panic” defence to murder. Father Paul Kelly saw the defence used first hand after a man was murdered in his Church's courtyard -- so he started a Change.org petition to change the law. After more than 25,000 people signed and huge media coverage across Australia, new legislation will close this archaic loophole.

Melissa, huge news!

The Queensland government has committed to closing the “gay panic” loophole used to defend murder. The changes will hopefully all but relegate the “gay panic” defence to the history books by making the defence invalid unless there are "exceptional circumstances".

It’s an extraordinary victory -- for Father Kelly, and all those who have been part of the explosion of support to eliminate the ”gay panic” defence in Queensland. 

Father Kelly was shocked after seeing the defence used to defend a brutal killing in his Church’s courtyard. He couldn’t accept that such an archaic and openly discriminatory loophole still existed in Queensland -- so he started a Change.org petition to have it wiped from the law books.

More than 25,000 people signed Father Kelly’s Change.org petition -- with support coming from his local Member of Parliament and British comedian Stephen Fry. It sparked a media and social media furore that the government couldn’t ignore. The Attorney-General personally responded in an opinion piece on The Punch last week after front page coverage in the Courier Mail. On Tuesday the campaign was featured on The Project andABC Radio National -- and the government changed its stance the next morning. 

For decades, governments have turned a blind eye to the “gay panic” loophole. Just last year, the Attorney-General changed laws surrounding the “gay panic” loophole, again failing to address it properly. 

The victory is an extraordinary example of people power -- and a testament to the power of anyone, anywhere to start, join and win campaigns about issues they care about.

Thank you -- Father Kelly believes that the “gay panic” defence is dead in this country, and it's sent a message that it’s unacceptable to leave loopholes in legislation that defends violence against the gay and lesbian community in any shape or form. He'll continue this campaign until he's sure the defence can't ever be used again, and hopes you'll join him. If you’re aware of something that’s discriminatory, unfair or just plain wrong, remember that you can always start a campaign on Change.org - click here to start a petition.

Nathan, Bobbi, Suzanne, Tony, Nick and the Change.org team.

For all of you who read my original post and signed the petition - well done!  And to Anna Bligh - great decision.

A whole lot of randomness

Lots of thoughts running through my head today.  Not unusual.

Why is it that when little boys play video games, they feel the need the continually commentate every move, jump up and down and act like complete fools?  Yet girls will just sit there quietly playing...

Why is it that my husband (is it only my husband?) is so very capable of tidying and cleaning the kitchen after dinner - yet the pots/pans seem to always be left sitting in the sink?

Why do I bother folding clothes and putting them in to neat piles, only to find them shoved in to drawers or thrown on floors?

How is it that my toilet always smells of wee??  No amount of cleaning, bleaching, pulling the damn thing apart and soaking relieves me.  Well, I just spent $50 on a piece of ENJO brilliance in the hope that it will help.  I used it yesterday and nearly vommited.....

This expensive piece of hardware gets in under the rim - like. nothing. else.  Use your imagination, as I cannot
describe what was discovered or I will likely gag.....

I spent $180 on a bed linen set yesterday.  Unheard of.  But it got me - the window display.  And my husband agreed when I oohed and ahhed.....so I marched straight in and bought it.  Thoughts?

Love

SIX MORE SLEEPS - until school returns!  They're all still alive - and it's a miracle...

One of my dearest friends is coming to stay for two nights, with her 3 month old bundle of joy.  And then it's back to London for them.  It still astounds me that she and I have only ever lived in the same state as each other for a whole six months.  And yet, we are still so close.

My three year old just came out and asked me to put a necklace on her.  "So I look like a person".......ummmmmm, ok.

That's it.  All that is flowing through my mind.  Have a wonderful day! xx

Australia Day

The 26th of January - Australia Day.  You know what?  I still don't really understand why we "celebrate" Australia on this actual date?  And after doing a little Google investigating, I can see why I didn't!  Australia Day celebrations - and to most people, more importantly the Public Holiday - only began officially in 1994.  So I would have been all of 20.  And I do not remember once ever celebrating.  Hmmmm.....

Don't get me wrong - I am as patriotic as the next person.  I cheer for our Aussie sports-people.  I support all of the men and women who serve our country.  I love everything about Australia.  But I do not "get" the whole flag-waving that has become such a sensation the last few years?  I guess it's another 

"each to their own" thing.

From "The Age" newspaper.  A very true representation of our multiculturalism!

So today, on this auspicious occasion - my husband and I are going to take the kids out to lunch.  To Salsa's.  An Australian owned, Mexican themed restaurant chain!  So very Australian me thinks...

To everyone who is not working today - enjoy your public holiday.  And to everyone who IS working today (like I will be tonight!) - enjoy your public holiday penalty rates!!

Aussie Aussie Aussie - Oi Oi Oi!!

Follow Me Wednesday!

Today I'm browsing through my list of blogs I follow, and "The Studious Stitch" is sharing "Follow Me Wednesday"! So I thought I would join in. It's a great way to find new and interesting souls here in Bloggy land. Feel free to pop your blog link on the list below and make sure you go and check out the other fab blogs within the list! I know I have!

Half Price Custom Made Dress??

A big thank you to the 29 people who took part in my very random, throwing-it-out-there action on Ms Midge tonight!  It's lovely to see I'm still coming up in your news feeds - even if I have been a slacko, holidaying hobo!

Random.org just had a visit and gave me this:

Which leads me to this:

Congratulations Mel!  Lovely to see your little one's cheery face pop up!  Please email me at msmidge1@bigpond.com and we can discuss a custom dress order for you at 50% off!  Hooray!

Thanks again everyone xxxx

I had to say "Yes" didn't I?

My gorgeous husband came up with the genius idea to purchase a PS3.  Sort of a pressie for himself, for starting his new job.  I begrudgingly agreed to said purchase because:

a)  He works ridiculously hard and long hours to provide us with a great life

b)  He is a "gamer" at heart and since we got the iMac and iPad - apparently the games you can get on them just aren't the same as what he got on normal PC

c)  He promised me I would still see him and he would not live in the back room

Now, his original genius idea had the PS3 living in our bedroom.  Yehhhh.......nahhhhhhhhh.  Cut that one down quick smart.  Visions of lying in bed watching some stupid game on the tv, or waking in the middle of the night to the ever-so-delightful blips of a video game was not ideal in my eyes!  So I agreed it could live out in our back lounge room.  The same room that the Wii lives.  The same room that the kids watch tv in.  And NOT the same room that I have all of my foxtel shows set up to record on IQ.  That was MY genius moment.

So yesterday he goes out, whilst I'm at work, and purchases said game console.  I come home to find a very happy gaggle of children along with an extremely pleased with himself husband.  Master 7 comes out with this beauty - "Mum, did you tell Dad he could buy it?"   Ahhhh.....he's been taking note of how this household works....

Fast forward to today.  When husband returns to work.  Master 7 is not even awake two minutes when he asks if he can play the PS3?  No. The remainder of the afternoon, after a morning spent at the park goes something like this:

Kids jump straight on to PS3 when walking through door

Arguments about who is playing first, second, third, fourth, fifth (you get the picture) 

start almost immediately

Arguments, tears and yelling continue for approximately four hours

I threaten to pull the whole bloody thing out of the wall and take back to shop

Kids pull their heads in - somewhat

I retreat to computer and ignore them successfully

Don't get me wrong - I have absolutely no problems about kids and video games, televisions or anything even remotely classed as "not good parenting" hehehhe....but, I'm going to be having words with the husband about his ability to introduce this new play thing - and disappear to work!

Anyone else out there have a thing or two to say about video games?  Or children?  Or school holidays? Ten more sleeps....

Cereal-sly?

I have been meaning to write this post for many months now, but something else always comes up when I think about it.  And yes, I think about this issue - every.....single.....morning!

Even my cereal container looks sad and unfulfilled....

Dear Kellogg's,

Please let the records show that you have a very upset customer.  You see, I have been purchasing your delicious Sustain cereal for possibly ten years now.  And up until last year, it was most satisfying, and suited me perfectly, as the size of the box lasted me exactly one week.  That's right - seven perfectly sized bowls of Sustain to keep me going until the following week's grocery shop.

Fast forward to 2011 when I was most outraged to find you had shrunk the size of your box, and accordingly, had messed up my grocery shop and breakfast routine.  I will note that you also brought the price down of the product in line with the reduction of size - however - it does not make up for putting me out.

Every week now, without fail, I run out of cereal.  This in turn means that I have to have toast for one or two mornings.  And this my friend, does not "sustain" my hunger.  Which leads to a very grumpy Mummy.  I do not like having to snack mid-morning.  This does not suit my OCD* routine.

Yours Truly

Hungry Mumma

I know, there's bigger issues in the world today, but this seriously irks me!

* I do not in fact have OCD, although the girl I work with would beg to differ!  I just happen to eat the same breakfast and lunch every day.  Strange?

* Kellogg's have not paid me for this post either....although I've given them enough of a plug!