Perth Voice Interactive

Hammond promoted

September 16, 2016

HIS maiden speech still echoing in federal Parliament, Perth MP Tim Hammond has been promoted by his boss, Opposition leader Bill Shorten.

The former lawyer is now shadow minister for consumer affairs, picking up the portfolio from Labor senator Sam Dastyari, who’s disappeared to the back benches after being exposed asking the Chinese government-back company Yuhu to pay a $1600 bill for him.

• Tim Hammond gets sworn in as a shadow minister, flanked by Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek.

It’s a good fit for Mr Hammond who spent his career representing people suffering from asbestos-related diseases.

“The consumer affairs portfolio represents an area that has long been my passion,” Mr Hammond said.

“Having dedicated my working life to representing the victims of asbestos-related diseases against companies who should have done better but didn’t, I know how hard it can be to find a voice when the odds seem insurmountable.”

While it’s not as glam as earning a place in the outer shadow cabinet, he’s also been promoted to shadow minister assisting for resources, which effectively makes him a junior shadow minister rather than a parliamentary secretary.

by DAVID BELL
Sign of support?

September 16, 2016

STATE Liberal MP Eleni Evangel seems to have the support of Lisa Scaffidi, with an East Perth property owned by the lord mayor and her husband Joe sporting a large banner promoting the Perth incumbent.

The property at 32 Edward Street is owned by LisaJoe Investments and had featured a Jeremy Quinn banner from his time running for the Liberals in the federal seat of Perth.

Ms Evangel is a former Perth councillor who served under Ms Scaffidi, and says she was pretty happy when the prime site, overlooking the Graham Farmer freeway and Claisebrook train station, came up after the federal election.

• Motorists on the Graham Farmer freeway get a good view of Ms Evangel’s sign.

“She’s okay with me having the sign up [and] I need to get my name out there,” Ms Evangel says.

Ms Evangel says the sign doesn’t feature her party’s logo or any election messages and is about letting people know who their local member is.

Ms Scaffidi’s also been encouraging of Ms Evangel on social media, telling her to “stay strong” on a Facebook post.

Ms Scaffidi’s endorsement was worth a chunk of votes at the 2013 council elections, with four candidates who had her blessing getting voter approval; but that was prior to a crime and corruption commission investigation into undisclosed travel and gifts.

by DAVID BELL
More online at Vincent

September 16, 2016

VINCENT council has added a slew of documents to be made available to the public online.

The move is a small victory for councillor Ros Harley, whose mission for transparency was sparked by her own problems obtaining information from the administration, although she says it’s far from over.

In 2013 Cr Harley made what she thought was a pretty simple request: A copy of then-CEO John Giorgi’s contract, as he’s the only employee directly hired by councillors and his contract was coming up for renewal. But she was stunned when she was knocked back.

Eventually she was allowed to view it in Mr Giorgi’s office for 15 minutes under supervision — but only part of the document.

“The mayor didn’t even have a copy — Alannah MacTiernan at the time,” Cr Harley says. “And when we did get it given to us it was an excerpt.

“I had to move a motion of council, which was legally binding, on the CEO to give us his contract.”

A short time later councillors asked to see senior staff’s credit card statements, but they were also knocked back.

Three years on, those obfuscations have led to councillors demanding more transparency, similar to moves happening in Bayswater council.

At Cr Harley’s urging a whole slew of other information will be available through a single online portal, including tenders and contracts over $150,000, complaints about breaches of the local government act, freedom of information requests, and registers of building and sporting ground leases (that’s been an issue in the past with some sporting clubs getting curiously sweet deals).

Cr Harley says staff are on board this time and the councillors are also giving current CEO Len Kosova free reign to publish online anything else he thinks is in the public interest.

The final vote on putting up the transparency portal is set for next week but is expected to pass without demur.

by DAVID BELL
Committee didn’t love it

September 16, 2016

ONLINE pop-science page IFLscience has been dealt a blow by Perth’s sponsorship committee, which knocked back a three-day science festival as under-prepared and overly ambitious.

The committee baulked at handing over $250,000 because it would place the IFLscience festival above longstanding events such as the Fringe Festival and the Christmas Pageant.

Tachyon

IFLscience (originally “I Fucking Love Science”) started in 2012 as a Facebook page to share quotes, memes and snippets about the entertaining side of science. Its popularity took off like a tachyon and it now has 25 million followers.

WA based company Minespace picked up on the hype and acquired the rights to organise the event under IFLscience’s umbrella.

No one from the company was willing to go on the record about the snub, but said they might delay the proposed November festival and try again next year. The company had been planning a $1.5 million festival; a mix of free and paid events around Perth’s cultural centre, Northbridge, and UWA.

Sponsorship had already been locked in from UWA and the metropolitan redevelopment authority.

Deputy lord mayor James Limnios, who sits on the sponsorship committee, said he likes the idea of more educational events happening in Perth, but wasn’t convinced the IFLscience proposal had been thought through.

“I felt that the organisers could have done some better research in terms of operating events on this scale, and some better research in terms of dealing with the City of Perth in the sponsorship process”, Mr Limnios said.

“Anything that’s educational… if you can introduce science to the masses by making it interesting and palatable, then I think it will be a winner.”

by TRILOKESH CHANMUGAM
Hotel thumbs-up

September 16, 2016

A PROPOSED nine-storey hotel on the corner of Barrack and Wellington streets got the thumbs-up from Perth’s planning committee on Tuesday night.

The committee decided the 77-room hotel, which will cost $15 million, made better use of the space by extending further into the laneway behind it.

The new hotel will retain the facade of the two-storey, 100 year-old Stocklands building currently occupying that site.
LETTERS 17.9.16

September 16, 2016

Tree in trouble
I AM writing to express my concern that a healthy tree on council-owned land is to be destroyed to make way for a high-density development.
I have spoken to the developer who says the tree makes it difficult to maximise the development potential of the block, it’s located on council-owned land and is not within the confines of the block.
I am disappointed with this result as there are few large, majestic trees left in our area and with another already removed from within the site it won’t belong before we are left with no advanced trees.
With the council’s commitment to increase urban tree cover to 18 per cent by the 2030 along with its character retention guidelines aiming to maintain mature trees, I struggle to see how a single greenfield development has taken precedence over an existing healthy, mature tree.
As importantly outlined on Stirling council’s website; “Trees bring health, economic and environmental advantages to us all,” and “street trees are important natural assets that make our city cooler”.
Each tree is not only its own ecosystem, but plays its part connecting other ecosystems above and below the ground. By removing it we further break down that fragile link with nature.
On consultation many surrounding home owners, who were not initially aware of the trees’ removal, agree that these trees play an invaluable part in our local wildlife and we all are rewarded by their existence.
I am currently raising a petition for my ward councillors to present at the next ordinary council meeting requesting the tree be retained and the development to be modified to accommodate the tree.
Anthony Ridolfo
Central Avenue, Mount Lawley

Poor taste
IT is in poor taste that Bayswater council continues with a memorial to John D’Orazio at the same time it is investigating possible breeches of laws/codes at a development site owned by his family, which is only metres away from the riverside spot proposed for his memorial.
The Carter wetland is important and there are so many questions unanswered about the neighbouring site.
Who contaminated the site? Who cut trees on council land? Was too much area cleared, outside acceptable pre-works? Were required flora and fauna studies done? Were native animals killed by the bulldozers? Why didn’t council get told the bulldozers were coming in? Why didn’t the developer agree to buffers (as recommended by the environment department)?
Questions of mayor McKenna and CEO Ms Lefante surely have to be asked about the timing.
Jacquie Kelly
Hill St, Bayswater

System rooted
YOUR boxed item “More trees at risk” ( Voice, September 10, 2016) offers a challenge to the City of Bayswater’s use of the QTRA tree risk assessment.
The city should be asked to explain how one of its own reports, paid for by ratepayers, was so lacking in accuracy and detail that fallen tree limbs, large enough to maim or even kill, were dismissed as no more than leaf and bark litter.
I believe it’s time for a full and public inquiry into the City of Bayswater’s use of the QTRA system.
Documents in this writer’s possession clearly indicate that when it comes to a particular ratepayer’s safety, the city had to rely on an independent arborist’s report that this writer paid for.
The city’s own QTRA report was apparently not up to the task.
Vincent J. McCudden
Almondbury Street, Bayswater
Supahealthyfreak

September 16, 2016

PALEO: The word was like a dagger through the heart.

I’m positively Jurassic in my love for all things creamy and glutenous, so my wife’s thyroid-induced paleo diet makes our kitchen tension sizzle like a croque monsieur on the hob.

After a relentless barrage of faux doughs and pallid pastries, food reviews have become my escape, which made a forced change of venue to a cafe specialising in paleo feel like getting the Christmas stocking full of coal.

Most paleoncologists seem to be trying to recreate a “normal” menu with substitutes, but that requires a willing suspension of disbelief I’m unable to muster.

I keep wondering why they just don’t rework the style to elevate the great ingredients which are actually at the heart of a good paleo diet.

Beef burger

Well, fortunately at Health Freak Cafe in Mt Lawley they’ve done just that – at least with my burger.

It’s advertised as a sweet potato beef burger ($15) and I was expecting the tuber to be mashed onto a pattie and plopped between yet another unsatisfactory attempt at a bun.

But Health Freak did away with the bread completely, making a couple of slices of the sweet potato the bun instead; and the result rocked. Was it actually better than a soft/floury roll? Mmmm, as I type that in I’m thinking probably not, but geez, it gave it a good nudge.

The beef pattie was also beautifully done, juicy and full of flavour. A balsamic drizzle topped the lot off and I started to think that maybe I could learn to like paleo.

Cookies and cream

Certainly the cookies and cream super food smoothie ($10) was something to love. It’s kind of the good things of paleo, like bananas and raw cacao and coconuts (lord, do paleo nuts go through the coconut), all blended up together. It tastes and feels rich, but you know it’s doing you good at the same time.

A freshly squeezed orange juice ($6) to finish off was the standard sort, but having been a paleo lunch it seemed to go down a little easier than usual.

My pal went with the ultimate vegan burger ($15.50) and said it was fresh.

“Every element from the spicy mayonnaise to the beetroot and sweet potato elements was full of flavour,” she said.

“My brain had that ‘thank you for the nutrients’ glow all afternoon.

“I’d forgotten how much I love that feeling and may have to eat there regularly just to see if I can match the quality at home.

“The coffee was amazing also.

“It just goes to show that people with passion for quality can do great things. I hope that they are there for a long time.

by STEVE GRANT

Health Freak Cafe
609 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley
Monday, Tuesday
7am – 3pm
Wednesday to Sunday
7am – 9pm
A golden return for Mexican cinema

September 16, 2016

MEXICO’S golden days of cinema are back with a vengeance says Jose Briones.

Director of Perth’s second annual Viva Mexico Film Festival, Mr Briones is bringing the best of his birth country’s cinema to his adopted home.

Mexico had a flourishing film industry from the 1930s to the 1950s: “A golden age. [We] were similar to Hollywood,” Mr Briones says.

But political upheaval and the loss of the country’s stellar directors to age and illness saw things deteriorate.

Awards

“In the 60 and 70s Mexico made a lot of movies, but not good ones,” Mr Briones says.

“They were very bad quality with very bad language, not family movies.”

During the 80s a new crop of directors got the industry’s mojo back and today Mexico is scooping up the awards at the likes of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

Mr Briones was in Mexico last week, helping judges select short films to be shown at the Festival, which is being based at the Backlot Studios in West Perth.

“The judges found it very difficult to choose just 10 films,” he says down the blower.

The seven feature films are a mix of drama and comedy and include a documentary I’m Here for One Night, which is about Australian singer/songwriter Abbie Cardwell.

In 2013 she felt drawn to Mexico to collaborate with indie surf twangers the Twin Tones, and with little planning and less Spanish jumped on a plane.

Cardwell didn’t know what to expect, but her warmth and talent won over the Twin Tones and a partnership was formed that continues today.

“They all ended up being like my brothers,” the singer says from her Brisbane home.

Ramona and the Scarabs is a revenge comedy with a twist of magic realism as the chunky Ramona discovers some magical scarab beetles.

The Load looks at South America’s dark history and the clash between 16th century Europeans and a Tameme indian man.

A Boyfriend for My Wife is a husband’s ingenious way of getting a divorce.

A Dog’s Breakfast delves into Mexico’s underworld, while They Are All Dead is a women struggling to come to terms with the death of her brother. Her world is shaken when he starts visiting – but only she can see him.

By far the most chilling is the Chosen Ones, a heart-wrenching movie about human trafficking and women lured into prostitution.

“We have chosen a selection of some of the best latest Mexican releases,” Mr Briones says.

Things come to a spectacular final with a Mexican Party on Thursday October 20.

For the full program go to vivamexicofilmfestival.com

by JENNY D’ANGER
High energy hip-hoppers make a splash

September 16, 2016

FREMANTLE band POWNegro has won Perth’s Big Splash battle of the bands, winning $10,000.

The hip hop/ jazz/ rock sextet has done surprisingly well, given they’ve been together less than a year and their bassist only started playing a month before they formed.

Already POWNegro have played alongside break-out Freo band Koi Child and Kevin Parker from internationally renowned Tame Impala.

“I always remember saying if I ever get to play in the same building as Kevin Parker that is my career done, so really I shouldn’t be playing anymore,” vocalist Nelson Mondlane says.

The group has big ideas on how to spend their winnings.

• POWNegro frontman Nelson Mondlane in action.

“We would use it to make stuff we had always dreamt about; our own shirt — that would be so cool man — a beanie with POWNegro on it,” drummer Rhys Hussey says excitedly.

“We have been doing this for a while but we haven’t really paid ourselves, just the money for equipment and stuff would be really useful,” guitarist Lachy Dymond says responsibly.

But the band also hopes to use the money to give other emerging local musos a hand, inspired by Big Splash founder Maria Florides, who went economy class on business trips to save $10,000 a year which she donates to WA arts.

“We would use the money to put back into a good show for artists that we know would be in the same position … to give a show to Mung Dahl to give them the spotlight, because they are beginning and in the beginning we got helped out by Koi Child,” says Hussey.

“We want to do a show that we are proud of, and in some way pay respects to some of the people that have helped us out,” Mondlane explains.

POW is one to keep an eye on, with their first taste of fame a “ridiculously” expensive bottle of wine from adoring fans and others traveling several hours to see them.”

by KORO BROWN
ASTROLOGY September 17 – September 24, 2016

September 16, 2016

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
Relationship is vitally important – and truth is what will get you through the tight corners you are bound to face. Truth is not a harsh thing. It needs to be softened through the filter of your heart. It also needs to be applied to oneself first. Then it can be expressed in a transformative way.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)
Slowly you are finding your way out of a period of self-soothing. Just notice what is going on. There’s no need to get bogged down with the question ‘Why?’. You have been doing what you need to do to get yourself back on an even keel. The rocky road is slowly becoming smooth.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)
Stories are becoming less important than sensations and feelings. Narratives can be spectacularly interesting but aren’t necessarily aligned with what’s really going on. The sensations you feel in your gut are closer to real. The Virgo Sun is pulling you down into your visceral intelligence.

CANCER (June 22 – Jul 22)
The Moon is full in Pisces. Imagine the full Moon shining over the sea, as a little crab on the beach, or in a rock pool, comes out to watch. Life is inciting you to wonder. Be grateful, that in the whir of machines and busy-ness we are immersed in, life’s mystery still finds a way through.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)
The Sun is coming to the end of its expedition through the earthy landscape of Virgo. It’s been a bit of a journey through the woods for you. The good news is that you are nearly out of said woods. There’s more than light at the end of the tunnel; there’s a party. Your friends are a treasure.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)
The Sun is at the tail-end of Virgo. The Moon is full in Pisces. You are being blessed with a moment of wholeness. You remain as grounded and pragmatic as ever, yet nature can still stop you in your tracks and overwhelm you with its mystery. There’s no escaping the pull of the unknown.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)
Jupiter is extending your sense of possibility. You may have narrowed your focus too much over the last few years. Life is offering you the chance to widen it again. The moment you sense that it is possible to live with less rigid parameters, your happiness comes dancing through the door.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)
The full Moon in Pisces at the beginning of the week, will give you a blast of the magic and mystery that has been lacking of late. It is in the world of your emotions that you are gifted your greatest challenges and your greatest gifts. As these gifts arrive, so you are a happy camper indeed.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
The full Moon in Pisces proves to be a testing time. You want to power ahead in over-drive, and life is inviting you to stand still and smell the roses. The same theme keeps reoccurring in different ways. If it’s not Saturn, it’s the Moon. You are being asked to drop knowing – and listen.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
The full Moon adds a dance to your step. You may find yourself skipping rather than walking sensibly. It doesn’t matter if anyone else sees. They are all as tinged by the madness of the Moon as you are. If anything is going to get up your nose, it will be excessive niceness. Don’t react.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
In the light of the full Moon, take stock of who you are, where you are going and how to add more beauty and craft to your work. Rather than being dazzled, be switched on and smart. Honour your own interests and your own dreams. It’s so easy to be overrun by everybody else’s. Move on.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
This full Moon is all yours. It’s in Pisces and it’s bound to be magnificent. It will shine in all its glory with the asteroid Chiron right behind it. This means that it is a healing Moon. It is a getting back on track Moon. It’s a taking stock, and loving and supporting yourself as you are Moon.