07.02.2011
Support for Australian government tumbles after disasters
CANBERRA (Reuters) – The Australian government's support has slipped to dangerously low levels following a summer of natural disasters and as Prime Minister Julia Gillard fights for a new tax to pay for flood and cyclone reconstruction, a new poll found on Monday.
If an election was held today Gillard would be swept from office, according to the Newspoll in the Australian newspaper.
Primary support for the ruling Labor party had slipped to 32 percent, 6 points lower than in last August's dead heat election. On a two-party basis, which is a better indication of who would win an election, Labor trails with 48 percent compared with 52 percent for the conservative opposition.
But in some good news for the government, the Newspoll found 55 percent support for Gillard's plan for a special "floods tax" on middle- and high-income families to raise about A$1.8 billion ($1.8 billion) to help pay for disaster reconstruction.
"Julia Gillard may have won the policy fight on her plan for a flood levy but it seems she has lost the politics of a summer of disasters," The Australian's political editor Dennis Shanahan wrote on Monday.
Australia's northeast has been hit by a series of floods and cyclones over the summer, with at least 35 killed and 30,000 homes inundated in Queensland state, where floodwaters also wiped out roads, bridges and rail lines.
Floods also hit New South Wales and Victoria, while bushfires are currently burning around the Western Australian state capital of Perth, where dozens of houses have been razed.
Early estimates of damage have topped A$10 billion, with the national government to pay for around 75 percent of the costs. Gillard has promised more cuts to the national budget to fund infrastructure reconstruction following the disasters.
The government plans to introduce laws into parliament on Thursday for a special floods tax to last 12 months from July.
But Greens and independent lawmakers, who Gillard relies on for a majority in the lower house of parliament, have yet to agree to the package.
The government's primary support in the Newspoll is the lowest since the party dumped former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in favor of Gillard last June.
Gillard refused to comment on the polls on Monday, only saying the government was focused on the task of helping communities recover from the summer disasters.
But Gillard announced a new body to oversee spending on reconstruction, to be led by former conservative finance minister John Fahey, to head off opposition criticism of the government's handling of big spending programs.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott stepped up his attack on the new floods tax on Monday, saying the government was addicted to new taxes and cannot be trusted to spend the money properly.
He made no direct comment on the polls, but told a meeting of the opposition cabinet that he remained committed to bring down the government.
"We don't know what's going to happen this year; we do know that we will be doing everything we humanly can to try to get rid of a bad government by holding a bad government to account and by doing our best to be a credible alternative," Abbott said.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese played down the poll, and said Gillard continued to hold a 13-point lead over Abbott as preferred prime minister.
"To get over-excited about it is I think a wrong response," Albanese told Australian radio.
(Editing by Michael Perry and Alex Richardson)
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H.J. Baker & Bro., Inc. Makes Donations To Charities Across The Country
H.J. Baker Continues Its Tradition of Employee Driven Charitable Contributions
Westport, CT (PRWEB) February 2, 2011
H. J. Baker & Bro., Inc. announced it made donations to more than 70 non-profit organizations across the country at the request of its employees totaling $200,000.
H. J. Baker employees at their headquarters in Westport, Connecticut, and plant and operation locations throughout the country were asked to suggest local charities in their area that the company might make contributions to this year.As a result the following charities have received a contribution.
In Connecticut:American Heart Association -- CT Affiliate -- Wallingford, CTAmerican Red Cross -- mid-Fairfield County -- Bridgeport, CTAmeriCares Foundation -- Stamford, CTAspetuck Land Trust, Inc. -- Westport, CTDenison Pequot Sepos Nature Center -- Mystic, CTFood Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc. -- Stamford, CTHabitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County -- Bridgeport, CTNorwalk Hospital -- Norwalk, CTOpen Door Shelter -- Norwalk, CTOperation Hope -- Fairfield, CTSalvation Army -- Bridgeport, CTStonington Harbor Yacht Club Sailing Foundation -- Stonington, CTSusan G. Komen for Breast Cancer Foundation -- Hartford, CTThe Center for Women & Families of Eastern Fairfield Co. -- Bridgeport, CTThe Connecticut Audubon Society -- Fairfield, CT
Across the country:
ALABAMA, ATMORE American Legion Auxiliary – Unit 90 American Red Cross (AL Gulf Coast)Friends of Education of Escambia County United Fund of the Atmore Area
ALABAMA, HUNTSVILLECare and Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound
ALBERTA (CANADA), CALGARY Calgary Humane Society Calgary Inter Faith Food Bank Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter MustardSeedThe Alberta Children’s Hospital
ARKANSAS, LONOKE Literacy Council of Lonoke County
ARKANSAS, BENTON Churches Joint Council on Human Need
ARKANSAS. FORT SMITH Crisis Center for Battered WomenFort Smith Boys and Girls Club Gregory Kistler Treatment Center
ARKANSAS, LITTLE ROCK Heifer Project InternationalLittle Rock Compassion CenterThe First Tee of Central Arkansas
ARKANSAS, JACKSONVILLE Fishnet Missions
ARKANSAS, MAUMELLEHope Ministry Alliance
CALIFORNIA, FRESNOCommunity Food BankFresno Rescue Mission Marjaree Mason Center, Inc. Poverello House
CALIFORNIA, LADERA RANCHLaura’s House
CALIFORNIA, LAGUNA BEACHThe Laguna PlayhouseThe Laguna Beach Historical Society
CALIFORNIA, LOS ALAMITOSCASA Youth Shelter
CALIFORNIA, MANTECA Second Harvest Food Bank
CALIFORNIA, SACRAMENTO Make a Wish Foundation of Sacramento
CALIFORNIA, SAN PEDROBoys & Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor
CALIFORNIA, SANTA ANAPacific Symphony
CALIFORNIA, SILVERADOSt. Michael’s Abbey
CALIFORNIA, STOCKTON Gospel Center Rescue Mission United Way of San Joaquin
CALIFORNIA, WILMINGTON Friends of Banning Landing Friends of Banning Museum Friends of the Wilmington Branch LibraryGang Alternative ProgramSociety for the Preservation of Drum Barracks
FLORIDA, SARASOTA Children Charity Fund, Inc.
GEORGIA, ATLANTAAmerican Cancer SocietyThe Salvation Army Residences, Inc.
ILLINOIS, CHICAGOAmerican Red Cross of Greater ChicagoGreater Chicago Food DepositoryPAWS – ChicagoSusan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
ILLINOIS, GENEVAMarklund
MISSISSIPPI, FOREST Crisis Pregnancy Services of Central Mississippi
MISSISSIPPI, LAKESunbelt Christian Youth Ranch
NEW YORK, NEW YORKResearch to Prevent BlindnessUNICEF USA
NEW YORK, PORT WASHINGTONFarms for City Kids Foundation
NEW YORK, UNIONDALE Feel Better Kids, Inc
NORTH CAROLINA, SANFORD Helping Hand Clinic, Inc.Stevens Foundation for Development and Enrichment Services
OKLAHOMA, WESTVILLEHope Center Inc.Westville EMSWestville Police Department Shop with a Cop
SOUTH DAKOTA, SIOUX FALLS National Multiple Sclerosis Society
TENNESSEE, MEMPHISSt. Jude’s Children Research Hospital
TEXAS, NACOGDOCHES The Empty Stocking Fund
VIRGINIA, TRIANGLE Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
Christopher V. B. Smith, President & CEO of H.J. Baker said: “H.J. Baker & Bro., Inc. has long supported the communities where our employees live and work.It is with profound gratitude that this holiday season H.J. Baker & Bro., Inc. was able to continue that tradition.Based on employee input we donated to charities surrounding our 22 locations across the country and sponsoring children in need around the world.These charities are on the front lines providing relief and support to those who need it most on a daily basis; including healthcare, food, clothing, clean water, and shelter as well as hope and knowledge.We are honored to help support their efforts.”
For 2010, H.J. Baker contributed over $200,000 to more than 75 non-profit organizations throughout the country.
H.J. Baker & Bro., Inc. is a leader in the feed, fertilizer and sulphur industries, with more than 20 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.For more than 150 years, H.J. Baker has been mobilizing resources and providing outstanding products and service to the agriculture industry throughout the world.The company's strategically located processing plants, offices and warehouses create a super-efficient pipeline for the vital commodities and products that it sources, manufactures and markets.H.J. Baker & Bro., Inc. is headquartered in Westport, Connecticut USA.
For more information on H.J. Baker & Bro., Inc. visit their website at .
Media Inquiries: Peter Barhydtw 203-618-1709 c 203-252-4768Peter(dot)Barhydt(at)AberdeenAssociates(dot)com
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PETER BARHYDTAberdeen Associates, Inc.203-618-1709Email Information
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U.S. press hounds Hu Jintao about human rights in China
There was much speculation coming into Chinese President Hu Jintao’s appearance at the White House on Wednesday about how he would handle the inevitable questions about human rights in China during a rare appearance in front of U.S. reporters.
At first, it appeared as if Hu, who refused to take any questions during a joint appearance with Obama when the U.S. president visited China last year, would just ignore them.
Hu did not answer an initial question directed at him by an Associated Press reporter, but was asked a second time about the topic by a Bloomberg News reporter.
Hu gave a somewhat confusing answer at first, claiming he had not heard the first question, but then saying he thought the question about human rights was directed to President Obama.
When he did answer the question, Hu said that China has made “enormous progress” on human rights which has been “widely recognized in the world.”
He also said, however, that because China is a “developing country with a huge population,” they have “many challenges in economic and social development.”
“A lot still needs to be done in China,” Hu said. “We will continue our efforts to improve the lives of the Chinese people.”
The confusion around the first question was caused in part, at least according to the Chinese leader, by the language barrier and translation.
Ben Feller with the Associated Press got the first question of the press conference. He asked President Obama, who stood four feet to Hu’s left in the White House East Room, “Could you explain to the American people how the United States could be so allied with a country that is known for treating its people so poorly, using censorship and force to oppress its people?”
Feller then turned to Hu and asked, “How do you justify China’s record and do you think that’s any of the business of the American people?”
Obama answered first, and lightened the mood by answering another question Feller had thrown into the mix about the U.S. ambassador to China, former Republican Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who has been rumored to be a potential presidential nominee who could challenge Obama in 2012.
“I’m sure that him having worked so well with me will be a great asset in any Republican primary,” Obama said with a smile, drawing loud laughter from reporters.
But then Obama answered the human rights question with tact and subtlety, expressing disagreement with China on core human rights views, but allowing that they are a different culture with a different history.
When Obama finished answering, all in the room turned to hear Hu’s answer. But he said nothing, and the English to Chinese translator began speaking into the microphone.
This was confusing because during opening statements, each leader’s comments were translated simultaneously and could be heard using headsets distributed to both leaders, their staffs and the press.
But apparently, during the question and answer session, the translation set up changed. The translator appeared to then repeat the entirety of Obama’s answer into Chinese.
When the translator finished, Hu called on a Chinese reporter, and did not answer Feller’s question.
After the Chinese reporter’s question had been asked and answered, Bloomberg’s Hans Nichols stood and asked Hu to answer the question that he had not answered, and finally got a response.
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