Asylum seeker - a person looking for protection because they fear persecution, or they have experienced violence or human rights violations.

Refugee - a person who asked for protection and was given refugee status. They may have been resettled in another country or be waiting for resettlement. 

Migrant - a person who leaves or flees their home to go to new places – usually abroad – to seek opportunities or safer and better prospects.
Australia’s situation

Australia is a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, which defines a refugee as a person who has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.

The primary obligation under the Convention is that of non-refoulement—that is, refugees must not be expelled or returned to places where they would face persecution based on one or more Convention grounds.
Off-shore detention is immigration detention where people seeking to claim asylum in Australia and arrive by boat are transferred to processing centres in another country. There are currently around 150 refugees held in Nauru and PNG who after a decade of being subjected to traumatic and harmful conditions in offshore detention need urgent evacuation to Australia. Since 2013 there have been 14 deaths as a result of offshore detention. There is overwhelming documentation of serious abuses, including child sexual abuse, medical negligence and high levels of self-harm under the offshore detention system.
Perspectives
Many people are in favour of Australia taking asylum seekers based on their humanitarian beliefs that people are entitled to protection of their human rights, including the right to seek asylum, regardless of how or where they arrive in Australia, or in any other country. These people may be against Off-shore detention.

Others have less altruistic perspectives which focus on the economic advantages of addressing skills shortages, population growth and economic stimulation.

In contrast, some people have a much more nationalist perspective which focuses on the potential for radicalised people entering Australia, pressure on our economy, including employment support, health care and education and the belief that refugees are often economically disadvantaged rather than in danger. These people may be in favour of Off-Shore detention.

Generating power:

Generating electricity and heat by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas causes a large chunk of global emissions. Most electricity is still produced from fossil fuels, only about a quarter comes from wind, solar and other renewable sources.

Manufacturing goods:

Manufacturing and industry produce emissions, mostly from burning fossil fuels to produce energy for making things like cement, iron, steel, electronics, plastics, clothes and other goods. Mining and other industrial processes also release gases.

Cutting down forests:

Cutting down forests to create farms or pastures, or for other reasons, causes emissions, since trees, when they are cut, release the carbon they have been storing. Since forests absorb carbon dioxid

These are just a few of the key causes.

Perspectives
Climate scientists and environmentalists: Climate scientists and environmentalists generally agree that global warming is a real and pressing issue that needs to be addressed urgently. They view global warming as a result of human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agricultural practices, that release large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. They hold this perspective based on scientific evidence that indicates rising global temperatures, melting ice caps, and increased frequency of natural disasters.

Skeptics and deniers: Skeptics and deniers often dispute the science of climate change and argue that the effects of global warming are exaggerated. Some may acknowledge that the climate is changing but believe that it is part of a natural cycle and not influenced by human activity. Others may believe that climate change is a hoax or a conspiracy perpetuated by governments or environmentalists. They hold this perspective based on their interpretation of scientific data or on ideological and political beliefs.

Economists and policymakers: Economists and policymakers may view global warming as a complex economic and political issue that requires a balance between environmental concerns and economic growth. They may advocate for policies that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining economic competitiveness and growth. They hold this perspective based on their understanding of the economic implications of climate change and the potential costs and benefits of mitigation and adaptation measures.

Celebrities:
some influential people that support the legalisation of marijuana include:

Perspectives:

medical:
From a medical point of view, the legalisation of marijuana would greatly contribute to the medical field due to the extensive research conducted expressing how medicinal marijuana can have a therapeutic role in a multitude of diseases/disorders, like chronic pain disorders (headaches and migraines), psychiatric disorders (PTSD, Alzheimer's disease and Tourette's disease) and many more.  MDs may be against the legalisation of marijuana due to some of their traditional values and the traditional medication most are used to.

recreational:
from a recreational point of view, people should have the right to choose what they put in their bodies, it also has fewer side effects than alcohol and tobacco, in means of safer use in the recreational environment. (give some stats about the negative impact of alcohol and the lack of data showing long-term fatalities from marijuana. Clarify whether the view is that is it harmless. even wholesome and healthy) More than 140,000 people die from excessive alcohol use in the U.S. each year. compared to marijuana where people run little to no risk of OD or dying from smoking it. National Academies of Medicine issued a report summarizing much of the published literature on the health effects of cannabis, into categories regarded as substantial, moderate, limited and of no or insufficient evidence to support an association with a particular outcome, this demonstrates the lack of evidence regarding long term effects of marijuana.

government:
From a government point of you, legalising marijuana has the potential to generate up to $9 billion in tax revenue over a decade just for New South Wales. the government has the potential to create a safe environment for the distribution and use of marijuana. some barriers for politicians to legalize marijuana in Australia are:

educational:
from an educational point of view, the legalisation of marijuana has the potential to create the correct understanding of the good and harm that can come from the legalisation of marijuana, instead of leaving adolescents curious which can lead to greater harm down the track without the correct education. in an educational context marijuana use is not promoted, but it is acknowledged, but with the legalisation of marijuana we could do more than just acknowledge it by demonstrating the effects and giving a greater understanding towards the use of cannabis much like they do with alcohol.

My perspective:
YES!! we should legalise it due to the vast research done to show all the health benefits that have been discovered through the consumption of marijuana and it would create a more safe and more acceptable environment for recreational use.     

Is the result of a country’s possession of weaponry that has an inbuilt atomic sequence, of fusion or fission, that in turn creates a nuclear explosion. It can be used in wars between nations as tensions rise and governments begin to feel threatened.

 

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. This is an international act and agreement that attempts to sustain peace in the face of a nuclear threat, where the main objective is to keep the amount of countries that hold nuclear weapons to a minimum.

 

In the past, nuclear warfare has been seen twice devastating both areas; during World War 2, the United States dropped two atomic bombs (‘Fat Man’ and ‘Little Boy’) in Japan, one in Nagasaki and the other in Hiroshima, this was in 1945. Since then there has been no other atomic war activity, though the threat still looms. 

Over the years, more countries have hopped on the bandwagon of including atomic weapons within their armoury including: Russia, North Korea, United Kingdom and China to name a few, though altogether there are nine countries with known nuclear weapons. Each country having their own amount yet roughly adding up to 13,000 atomic weapons in total.

 

Currently, Australia is not atomically armed and has no intention to become so, under the NPT treaty signed in 1970. Since then refusing to receive or obtain any nuclear weapons.

Effects of Nuclear Weapons
Pros
-Supports national borders
-power and status of the nation is converted
-provide a premise for other technology
-can dissuade major conflicts

Cons
-a multitude of death
-severe injury
-radiation sickness
-destruction of environment 

 

Hypothetical;

Some people believe that nuclear warfare is just a speculation, more of an empty threat. They may think that it will never happen, and even if it does, won’t be in their lifetime. These people may be indifferent to Australia’s choice if it were to gain atomic weapons as they believe it to have no ulterior motive, rather an inactive display.

 

Patriotic/defensive;

On an extreme end, others might be inclined to support the possession of nuclear weaponry as it can be seen as major defence for the country if needed. On the other hand it could also help to prevent large conflicts as the threat of beginning an atomic war may pressure government conflicts to be resolved.

 

Humanitarian/environmental;

Contrary, many people are solemnly against the use or possession of atomic weapons as they are aware of the harms and effects it will have on humanity as well as the earth. These will involve millions of deaths and enormous demolition of the environment targeted.

 

In a poll done in March of 2022, IPSOS created a poll with a sample size of 1000 Australians, not equally distributed by state – most participants(p) in NSW (320p/32%) and least in ACT (17p/2%). In this poll there were two questions asked concerning nuclear warfare using a Likert scale of attitudes from strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat agree and strongly agree. The questions asked were;

 

1)     ‘It is unacceptable for nations to threaten each other with nuclear weapons’

 

2)     ‘Nuclear weapons are now banned under international law by the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Australia should end any support for nuclear weapons and sign and ratify this treaty’

 

In response to question 1) 86% (865p) of Australians strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the statement made. 73% (733p) strongly agreeing while 13% (132p) somewhat agreed.

 

For question 2), 76% (759p) of Australians strongly agreed or somewhat agreed. Where 55% (545p) strongly agreed and 21% (214p) somewhat agreed.

Social media : websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.
 
censorship over social media is controversial as there are multiple perspectives on the topic. Some people believe that social media shouldn’t be censored at all where people have the right to free speech and to post and talk about whatever they want to. The other extreme side of this topic is that everything someone posts and looks at is censored and restricted, this extreme would limit hate speech but it also limits the self expression and individual interests. 

The issue of internet restrictions has been a point of contention for many years. Many organisations argue that everyone should be able to upload any type of content they choose on the internet. Others strongly believe that the graphic and damaging nature of the internet cannot be allowed to remain unchallenged.

The argument over whether or not censorship should be implemented by governments has become more serious. Large amounts of uncontrollable information have an active or negative impact on the development of culture, entertainment, as well as other aspects of society. In theory, adequate censoring is beneficial for things like societal safety, teen education, and the growth of artistic expression. Nonetheless, there can be problems if governments censor speech excessively. The spread of information contributes to social stability; but, citizens cannot enjoy their freedom if information is restricted.

perspectives 
there are 2 main perspectives on the debate surrounding the censorship of social media and the internet, people either have the perspective that there should be more restrictions on what can be put on the internet and that censorship is a positive influence on society. the other perspective is that censorship is harmful on society as it reduces and restricts peoples freedoms of expression and speech.

Globally, 27% of all internet users live in countries where people have been arrested for publishing, sharing, or merely “liking” content on Facebook. Authorities in 38 countries made arrests based on social media posts over the past year. That's compared to 21 countries where people were arrested for content published on news sites or blogs.

But it's not just the social networking sites where some users can be at risk; internet messaging systems are also being targeted. WhatsApp faced the most restrictions, with 12 out of 65 countries blocking the entire service or disabling certain features, affecting millions of its one billion users worldwide, during the period of the study (June 2015 and May 2016).

How is social media and the internet censored?

It’s important to keep in mind that Internet censorship has its advantages when used with the best of intentions.

Create common-sense limits. 

there’s a lot of content on the Internet that no one should ever see, and the concept of Internet censorship can start a constructive conversation about it.

Stop fake news. 

If more content was closely monitored, it could cut down on the mass amounts of fraudulent information including false advertising.

Curb access to harmful activities. 

The dark web is uncharted territory to the majority of Internet users, but there are sites that are shockingly easy to find that are dedicated to illegal acts like sex trafficking, child pornography, illicit drugs, and more. 

Less identity theft.

If there is less content on the Internet that requires identity information, in theory, there would be less identity theft. 

There are some big disadvantages to Internet censorship that affect the way people access information.

It restricts too much information. 

It’s entirely possible that real information is blocked along with fake information, which opens up a large debate about what you should and shouldn’t restrict/access. 

Who’s in charge? How are rules defined? Are there checks and balances? 

Internet censorship could quickly turn into a matter of opinion on what is acceptable and what isn’t.

Censors free speech. 

Internet censorship not only limits the content you can access but potentially the content you post as well. 

Cost. 

This kind of goes without saying but the workforce required, and associated cost, to control and survey Internet users would be astronomical - most likely coming at the expense of taxpayers.

social media is a form of internet consumption where people will post and view what they want, therefore the issues of social media are reflective of the issues of the internet. 

Examples of media 

There are many books that have been written around the central idea of censorship and many fictional works will in some way have an indication to what could and couldn’t not be posted on the internet and on social media. 

Own perspective

While people shouldn’t be restricted from both the internet and social media it is important that what is being put up and viewed isn’t harmful to children and adults alike. People should be able to use this technology to further their knowledge or enhance their lives. If restricting what can be posted is required then it should be used in order to keep people safe. 

· Have majorly progressed from the 1800s with raising awareness and new technologies have allowed for medical advancements so further research can be carried out

· Lifeline is Australias leading suicide prevention service in which anyone from anywhere can call to receive the support they require at times of crisis – each year 1 million Australians reach out to lifeline for support with the line receiving calls every 30 seconds: this easy access would not be possible without the use of technology and awareness for mental health

Communication:

·  Has brought about a revolutionary transformation in the way we communicate with one another making it easy to connect with someone in less than a minute via connecting through a virtual space

·  In the 1850s it took days weeks or even months for a telegraph to be sent from one location to a far flung position nowadays text messages can be sent and received within 5 seconds from anywhere in the world

Key person/s

Bill gates

·  Cofounded Microsoft corporation in 1975 and led the company to become the worldwide leader in business and personal software and an avid supporter for the growth of technology

· Changed the world by creating an easy operating system so that everyone could use a computer

· Net worth = 109.3 billion USD

· “were changing the world with technology”

· “I believe innovation is the most powerful force for change in the world”

books/media

- The Age of A.I. age of AI: By Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher --->  explores artificial intelligence and its effects on progressing society 

LUDDITE
Rights:

· Social media can facilitate hate speech, cyber bullying, child sexual exploitation, radicalisation of certain groups.

· Can be used for terrorist propaganda, coordination, and recruitment.

Inequality:

· Developing nations do not have the same access to technologies so the countries that need it the most are left unprogressive – displays the major split between 3^rd and 1^st world countries.

Mental health:

· Major cause of mental health issues in 12–17-year-olds

· Can cause isolation: technologies such as social media are designed to bring people together however can have the adverse effect: According to 2017 research of young adults between the ages of 19 and 32, those who used social media more frequently reported feeling socially alienated more than three times as often as those who used it less frequently.

·  1/5 children aged 13-18 have or will have a serious mental illness before they reach adulthood.

·  Between 2017-2021: proportion of 6–16-year-olds with mental health conditions increases from 1/9 to 1/6 
---> between this time the iPhone x has been released, air pod pros and a talking hearing aid = lots of advancement showing the correlation between technology and mental health

Communication:

· can create a false sense of connection with someone

· Has negative affected childrens deveoloping social sills, relationships with others and ability to focus and listen. Can lead to more children being socially awkward, withdrawn, shy or intimidated by social situations

·  Dr Nicole beurkins – child psychologist: studies have found that children's social development is adversely associated with screen time. this decreases their compliance to instruction, engagement with others  and increased levels of disturbing behaviours such as being bossy or bullying

·  another study conducted done with older children showed that spending a week at summer camp without screen time led to significant improvement in children's ability to read and understand non verbal cues 

key people/s:
Chellis glendinning: 
- a new Mexican based psychologist who believed that dependence on technology is a terrible idea and one that threatens not just our personal health and the well-being of our families and communities but also the natural world that we inhabit

- She has made this case in a series of hard-hitting books that includes My Name is Chellis,  I'm in Recovery from Western Civilization, Chiva, the Pulitzer Prize-nominated When Technology Wounds: The Human Consequences of Progress. 

BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
·  Increases the efficiency of systems, products, and services.

·  Reduces costs and enables businesses to grow rapidly.

· Increases security whilst also giving businesses completive advantages by keeping their mission statements private so copyright does not occur
However:

· Can facilitate fraud.

·  Personal lives outside of work can be leaked ---> causing people to lose their jobs.

- Should be strictly kept in a business ordeal 


EDUCATION PERSPECTIVE
·  Makes it easier to find information quickly and accurately.

·  Instead of personal tutors ---> students can get one on one help through virtual videos and talks.

·   Effective use of technology can increase student engagement, help teachers improve their lesson plans and facilitate personal learning.

However:

·  Can facilitate cyberbullying, distraction in class and mental health issues in kids which will stray them from education.

- Should be used with caution and only in a classroom setting 

The rights around abortion is an ongoing controversy that is constantly evolving based on the views and opinions of people in many different fields such as medical, political and religious beliefs. In 2022, the issue was raised in anger after the United States Supreme Court made the decision to overturn Roe v Wade, a law legalising abortions in all states. While many people were overjoyed with the idea of abortion now becoming criminalised in many states, the majority was now, creating an angry ripple across the world that was fuelled by social media. The long lasting debate of Pro-Life vs Pro-Choice is very complex and has many influential factors as well as specific case studies and a lack of agreement between the two parties.

Pro-Life:
This is the opinion that abortion should not be legal or should only be allowed in very specific situations. A person who believes this may have this point of view due to their religion or the belief that it is ‘murder’ and the act of removing a foetus is ‘killing a child’ and is therefore a criminal offence. When asked what what would happen to an unwanted child that is born, their response is simply adoption, even though the foster system is already corrupt and overflowing.

Pro-Choice: 

On the other hand, the majority of people (mostly women), believe that abortion should not be a criminal offence and that a women should be given the choice to decide whether to carry a child to full term or not. This side states that no person should be forced into giving birth as it is a life long commitment in which many people lack the resources to give the child a safe and happy life as well as provide the mother with support after the trauma of giving birth.

Medical:

The medical perspective of the abortion debate comes down to it being basic healthcare. There are many reasons a woman may seek an abortion and which can be simply due to medical issues. For example, a pregnant woman who has suffered a miscarriage may need certain medication in order to be completely safe from infection etc. This is also the case with conditions such as ectopic pregnancy in which a woman may need to receive an abortion or else she will die. This perspective demonstrates how access to abortion is a necessity and many women will certainly suffer greatly if they can not receive one. Medical abortions are also the safest way to terminate a pregnancy, just because they are outlawed, does not mean they will stop. 

Political:

It has recently come to light that the truth behind the overturning of Roe v Wade is the political agenda that results in the controlling of women and their bodies rather than ‘saving children’. This has come from an old fashioned and very faith based perspective in the political field which people have recognised and based their own personal view on the situation. The second a girl is born into a system with no easy access to abortion, she immediately loses all rights she had in the womb. This ties into other problems particularly in the USA such as gun control- the government clearly doesn’t care about its countries children so these laws have obviously been made to harm women and control them. Another argument against banning abortion is for cases of sexual assault. Many find it incredibly cruel to force someone who has already experienced a horrific trauma to be forced to bring a living reminder of it into the world. These examples are constantly being brought up by Pro-Choice politicians when debating the topic in political situations, saying it is a basic human right that everyone should receive the treatment they need.

Many celebrities spoke up after the overturning of Roe v Wade, expressing their opinions on the issue.

Lizzo shared a pro-abortion protest sign with a twist on her iconic "About Damn Time" lyrics, and she captioned the photo with this message: "The most important thing is action & loud voices. @plannedparenthood @abortionfunds and organizations like them — will need funding to continue offering services to people who are most harmed by this ban. Black women and women of color have historically had disproportionately less access to family planning resources — this is a great loss but not a new one.” Then, she pledged to donate $500,000 from her upcoming tour — with Live Nation matching her donation — to organizations leading the way in abortion rights.

 In the middle of her performance, Olivia Rodrigo took a moment to defend people's right to choose, saying, "I couldn't pass up the opportunity to talk about how heartbroken I am over the Supreme Court's potential decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. ... I hope we can raise our voices to protect our right to have a safe abortion, which is a right that so many people before us have worked so hard to get.”

 Phoebe Bridgers opened up about her abortion and the ease with which she was privileged enough to obtain it. "Everyone deserves that kind of access," she said, before sharing a list of places to donate.

25 million unsafe abortions occur each year

People will have abortions regardless of the law

There are on average 73 million abortions a year —> proves its necessary

Australia - all abortions legal and easy to access

USA- certain states have total bans, different laws in different states due to overturning of Roe v Wade

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is violence committed by someone in the victim's domestic circle. This includes partners and ex-partners, immediate family members, other relatives and family friends. The term 'domestic violence' is used when there is a close relationship between the offender and the victim. Overall, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 20 men have experienced sexual violence. On average, one woman every nine days and one man every month is killed by a current or former partner.

The main legislation that deals with domestic violence in Australia is the Family Law Act 1975 and the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012. These laws provide a framework for addressing domestic violence and protecting victims of domestic violence.

Under the Family Law Act 1975, the court can make orders to protect people from family violence. These orders can include restraining orders, which prohibit a person from doing certain things, such as approaching the victim or contacting them. The court can also make orders for the care and protection of children, and orders for the division of property.

Under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012, the police can issue a domestic violence order (DVO) to protect victims of domestic violence. DVOs can include conditions such as prohibiting the perpetrator from approaching the victim or contacting them. Breaching a DVO is a criminal offence.

Domestic violence is a complex issue that affects millions of people worldwide, and there are different viewpoints and perspectives on this issue. Lana Del Rey, Ike Turner, and Rihanna are all musicians who have been involved in domestic violence controversies, and their experiences offer different insights into the issue.

1. Lana Del Rey: Lana Del Rey is a singer-songwriter who has been criticised for romanticising abusive relationships in her music. Some of her songs, such as "Ultraviolence" and "Sad Girl," have been accused of glorifying domestic violence and perpetuating harmful stereotypes about women as passive victims, with lyrics such as “He hit me and it felt like a kiss” and “Cause you’re just a man, it’s just what you” portraying the ‘boys will be boys’ narrative that is so often used to excuse abusive or violent behaviour from men. Del Rey has defended her work, stating that she is writing about her own experiences and that her songs are not intended to be taken literally. However, many critics argue that Del Rey's music reinforces damaging ideas about abuse and relationships, and that she should be more responsible with her platform. 

2. Ike Turner: Ike Turner was a musician and producer who was known for his abusive behaviour towards his ex-wife, Tina Turner. Ike physically and emotionally abused Tina for years, and their relationship became a symbol of the dangers of domestic violence. On the subject of his abuse Ike Turner stated, "Yeah, I hit her, but I didn't hit her more than an average guy beats his wife. The truth is, our life was no different from the guy next door’s."

While some people sympathise with Ike and argue that he was a victim of his own traumas and addictions, most recognise that his behaviour was unacceptable and that he caused significant, lasting harm to Tina Turner. 

3. Rihanna: Rihanna is a singer who was assaulted by her then-boyfriend, Chris Brown, in 2009. The incident made headlines around the world and sparked conversations about domestic violence and its impact on young people. Vanity Fair asked Rihanna if she thought she would always be a 'poster child' for victims of domestic abuse. To this question, Rihanna replied, "It's in the past, and I don't want to 'get over it,' because it's a very serious thing that is still relevant; it's still real. A lot of women, a lot of young girls, are still going through it. A lot of young boys, too. It's not a subject to sweep under the rug, so I can't just dismiss it like it wasn't anything."

Rihanna's response to the assault has been both criticised and praised. Some argue that she should have left Brown immediately and set a stronger example for survivors, while others point out that leaving an abusive relationship is often difficult and complicated. Rihanna has since become an advocate for survivors of domestic violence and has spoken openly about her own experiences.

Overall, these three examples show the complexity of domestic violence and the different perspectives that can arise from it. While some may be sympathetic towards abusers or dismissive of survivors, it is important to remember that domestic violence is a serious issue that affects millions of people every day. We must listen to survivors, hold abusers accountable, and work towards creating a society where violence is not tolerated or excused.

- There a loads of different bits of paper work that have to be done before a mine can actually be built, it is quite a long process and the government does have the opportunity to decline propositions
- Mines are responsible for the rehabilitation of their areas once the mines have closed, failure to do so can result in extreme fines

Perspectives:

Environmental:

- can be detrimental to the environment
- there are other options for creating electricity, and now there are alternatives instead of using fuel in transportation.
- that if we don't start fighting climate change we will not have a thriving economy or world as it will be severely damaged.
- that we should protect the environment at all costs
(it turns out it is really hard to find figures and numbers of the impact of mining, either because it is hard to tell wether it is mining alone, or because companies have not released information like this)

Economical:

After exceeding $300 billion in export revenue for the first time in 2020-21, it is impossible to say that mining isn't a massive part of the Australian economy.
- Over 260,000 people are currently working in the mining industry, earning an average wage of $112,000, this equates to $21.6 billion, after tax, that is able to circulate and stimulate the economy.
- Australia exports 52% of the worlds Lithium, lithium's demand is constantly increasing as it is very import in EV batteries, thus leaving lots of potential profit for Australia in lithium mining.
- Mining is also the largest contributor to Australia's GDP, therefore as mining increases so does our Economic Growth
- Mining has a 35%-40% profit margin

Government:

-The government is benefitting from the mines and will not stop future mines from opening, the make massive tax revenue from workers and some mining companies, it allows their country to compete better in global markets and greatly impacts the economy. They do face some issues towards Geo-political tensions as Australia is not on trend to achieving carbon neutral goals, this is mostly effecting the coal mining industry.
- $7.6 billion from tax of 2.1% of the Australian population.
- The mining industry has disclosed donations of $49.9 million to federal political parties over the last decade. Of donations to major parties, 81% went to the Coalition, often in years donors paid no company tax (28% of Revenue) and lobbied for approvals and particular policy reforms.
- The government is benefitting from the mines and will not stop future mines from opening

Companies:

- Mining companies are making insane profits and will do everything they can to continue this.
- Mining has a 35%-40% profit margin
- its guaranteed to have bulk buyers 

Public (in the middle):

- Generally speaking, Australians were not strongly of the view that the economic benefits of mining are distributed fairly.
- Respondents tended to agree that mining communities received a fair share of the benefits of mining, especially in comparison with perceived personal benefits associated with mining.
- Patterns indicated that participants believed that the mining industry listened to and respected community opinions more than state and federal governments. And secondly, those in metropolitan regions perceived they were more heard and respected by industry and governments than those in mining and non-mining regions. This pattern was consistent with the 2014 results.

- 59.5% agree it has positive effects on regional communities
- 75% agree it contribute significantly to the economy
- 55% agree mining is necessary for australia

My perspective:

As an ATAR economics student I can clearly understand why it is important, but as a young Australian I am weary of its long term effects. I do believe that we will always rely on mining as a source of important materials (or until we can create them), but i also believe that removing coal mining and changing to far more renewable energy sources could create massive positive outcomes for our steps towards carbon neutral and saving the environment.

Movies:

There are many movies about the mining industry around the world, most of which show the corruption in first world countries; Blood Diamond, There Will Be Blood, but these don't really relate to our mining industry and are not about the environmental impact.

Extra Facts:

- Mining contributes to 14.6% of Australias GDP (Gross Domestic Profit)
- 4 of Australias top 5 exports are from mining
- Geo-political tensions with China are creating concerns for Australias exporting industry
- Mining takes up 7.7 million (sq. km) in Australia

Mining is a very controversial topic, this is because it can be extremely damaging to the environment and isn't always sustainable, but on the other hand, the world cannot function without the mining of raw materials. the raw materials are used to provide infrastructure, electronics, electricity, fuel and many other everyday items. Australia is undoubtably in a challenging situation, scientists have proven climate change is real and happening, and that coal mining in particular has been very damaging, but at the same time we cannot simply shut the mines down, as our economy and many other countries rely on our mining exports.

The belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods

It is simply a rejection of the assertion that there are gods. Atheism is too often defined incorrectly as a belief system. To be clear: Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods.

84% of people lend themselves to a religion

4,000 recognised religions 

Top 3 are Christianity, Islam, Aethiesm

The highest overall levels of restrictions are found in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran, where both the government and society at large impose numerous limits on religious beliefs and practices. These restrictions either ban religion utterly or concentrate on one religion. More democratic society’s, give people freedom of religon, allowing all to express there any religon. Australia currently lends itself towards a democratic viewpoint, with a diverse range of over 120 faiths.

Religon can generally cause a conflict of belief with others, many people who strongly believe can go to extreme measures such as terrorism to pressure others who do not align with there beliefs. Beliefs can make a false sense of reality, better afterlife inducing suicide or the greater power “telling” you to do things that are against the law. Can cause discrimination between minorities, such as women and lgbtq

Religon can hold some very established values, that are compilable in society. They can allow people to find motive and direction through faith. Support within the systems provided by the Religon, such as counselling etc.

Economic: Many firms find it hard to target all groups of religions, as they will have to alter there marketing strategies and products in order to achieve higher sales. In an economy such as Pakistan, where Islam is the primary Religon, companies are able to easily cater for the whole population based on Religion, making less religions favourable from an economic stance

Political: in terms of ethics, freedom of religion should be endorsed as people then are able to express themselves how they please. In many places churches play beneficial roles in their countries by strengthening social bonds and helping the poor, by providing funds, food, shelter and support, leading some countries to fund religious states heavily. Many say religious institutions are overly focused on money and power, excessively focused on rules and too involved with politics. Indeed, majorities in most countries surveyed prefer that religion be kept separate from government policies and say religious leaders should have little or no influence in political matters.

Stephen Hawking: Hawking wrote "there is no God." But it's not the first time the scientist, who died in March, has shared his belief on the subject, through his life long scientific study, he has extensive reasoning on his stance.

Vladimir Putin : “Why did Christ come into the world? To liberate people from sickness, troubles, from death. In its essence, Christmas is a holiday of hope.”

9/11 attacks on the twin towers, New York, involved conflicts of the American Military Supporting the Jewish Israel state against the Islamic Palestine.

Afghanistan war started as a result of the Islam Terrorist organisations attacks on the non Islam world, with the British and American military’s invading

The holocaust, a result of christian faith, Adolf hitler having an outward hate to the Jewish population.

Sri Lanka bombing on Easter, an outward attack of Muslim terrorists on the Christian faith

Many more

 

 

 

 

 

 

"embody idealised delicacy, innocence, submission, and purity through their pre-existing nature". Of course, the belief in a man’s ‘right’ to physically discipline ‘his’ woman still exists in many more patriarchal societies where male control is still  culturally and religiously enforced and women’s minimal rights and freedoms.

 

Domestic violence is defined as aggressive behaviour between current or previous intimate partners. It frequently occurs when one partner attempts to control the other through intimidation, either physically, sexually, emotionally, socially, verbally, spiritually, or financially. An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. This works out to be more than 12 million women and men over the course of a single year.

 

A wide variety of strategies have been recently employed to tackle domestic violence in Australia. These include primary prevention programs, integrated intervention programs, mass-screening programs, programs for violence perpetrators, programs for women who have been subject to domestic violence and legislative approaches. 

For example, Western Australia has a strategy to reduce family and domestic violence that includes growing primary prevention and reforming systems to prioritise safety, accountability and collaboration. The National Plan to reduce violence against mainly women and their children. There are 2 laws which have therefore been set in place:

Personally, I believe that domestic abuse should not be accepted in our society. For one, I haven’t experienced the things these brave people have fought, however I can only imagine the horror it could bring and the effect on someones life. If I am to try to look from the other argument’s perspective, I can understand that discipline must be put in place in family households, although there is a very fine line between what is right and what is too far. I believe people should have the right to speak out and feel safe. The whole world has come so far in terms of gender equality if we date back to even the early 1800s, so the future for domestic violence can only get better from here. 

Climate change is the phrase used to describe long-term modifications to weather patterns and temperature. The increase in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which trap heat and warm the earth, are the main contributors to climate change. Both natural and human activities release these greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Why it is controversial: people are in disagreement about the cause of climate change , whether it is occurring, how much has occurred, what it’s effects will be, if we should do something and what that something is.

Causes:

Generating power - generating electricity via burning fossil fuels which include  natural gases, oil and coal releases the bulk of global emissions.  These emissions are largely CO2, CO2 amplifies the greenhouse effect which traps heat excess heat in the earths atmosphere.

Manufacturing goods - making goods uses fossil fuels to make steel plastics electronics and other goods, other industries also release emissions such as the agricultural and mining industries 

Cutting down forests  - trees absorb and store carbon dioxide so when they cut down to make room for farmland or building, mass carbon is released into the atmosphere also amplifying the greenhouse effect. 

Effects:

Hotter temperature - almost all landmasses have seen increased temperature, more heat waves occurring, with 2020 being one the hottest years ever recorded.

Weather - temperature changes in rainfall which in turn cause more severe and frequent storms.  More homes will be lost from floods, landslides and other natural disasters

Loss of animals - with Chang in climate means a change in habitat, a hotter temperature means more frequent forest fires, hotter oceans and more droughts. Some animals will be able to survive, adapt or relocate but some will not.

Some movies which deal with this topic are interstellar and wall-e

Perspectives:

For: 

Argument - many scientists and experts agree that climate change is real and is primarily caused by human activity. This viewpoint is supported by a wealth of data and evidence, including rising global temperatures, melting ice caps, and sea level rise. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities have been shown to contribute significantly to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is driving climate change.

Famous people - David Attenborough, Greta thunburg and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Facts and stats:

was observed to have an area of 24.5 million kms.  The ozone layer is responsible for shielding the earth from harmful uv rays

Against:

Argument - some people also believe that climate change is a hoax or a conspiracy theory. They suggest that the evidence supporting climate change has been altered gain people in power. Some believe that climate change is simply a natural occurance that has been exaggerated to create fear and panic.

Famous people - Donald trump and Jeremy Clarkson

Reasoning:

Economic view: 

Political view:

The belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods

It is simply a rejection of the assertion that there are gods. Atheism is too often defined incorrectly as a belief system. To be clear: Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack of belief in gods.

84% of people lend themselves to a religion

4,000 recognised religions 

Top 3 are Christianity, Islam, Aethiesm

Controversy 
As many different religions coexist among countries and people, conflict and discrimination, can come from the strong beliefs that some believe.

The highest overall levels of restrictions are found in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran, where both the government and society at large impose numerous limits on religious beliefs and practices. These restrictions either ban religion utterly or concentrate on one religion. More democratic society’s, give people freedom of religon, allowing all to express there any religon. Australia currently lends itself towards a democratic viewpoint, with a diverse range of over 120 faiths.

Religon can generally cause a conflict of belief with others, many people who strongly believe can go to extreme measures such as terrorism to pressure others who do not align with there beliefs. Beliefs can make a false sense of reality, better afterlife inducing suicide or the greater power “telling” you to do things that are against the law. Can cause discrimination between minorities, such as women and lgbtq

Religon can hold some very established values, that are compilable in society. They can allow people to find motive and direction through faith. Support within the systems provided by the Religon, such as counselling etc.

Economic: Many firms find it hard to target all groups of religions, as they will have to alter there marketing strategies and products in order to achieve higher sales. In an economy such as Pakistan, where Islam is the primary Religon, companies are able to easily cater for the whole population based on Religion, making less religions favourable from an economic stance

Political: in terms of ethics, freedom of religion should be endorsed as people then are able to express themselves how they please. In many places churches play beneficial roles in their countries by strengthening social bonds and helping the poor, by providing funds, food, shelter and support, leading some countries to fund religious states heavily. Many say religious institutions are overly focused on money and power, excessively focused on rules and too involved with politics. Indeed, majorities in most countries surveyed prefer that religion be kept separate from government policies and say religious leaders should have little or no influence in political matters.

Stephen Hawking: Hawking wrote "there is no God." But it's not the first time the scientist, who died in March, has shared his belief on the subject, through his life long scientific study, he has extensive reasoning on his stance.

Vladimir Putin : “Why did Christ come into the world? To liberate people from sickness, troubles, from death. In its essence, Christmas is a holiday of hope.”

9/11 attacks on the twin towers, New York, involved conflicts of the American Military Supporting the Jewish Israel state against the Islamic Palestine.

Afghanistan war started as a result of the Islam Terrorist organisations attacks on the non Islam world, with the British and American military’s invading

The holocaust, a result of christian faith, Adolf hitler having an outward hate to the Jewish population.

Sri Lanka bombing on Easter, an outward attack of Muslim terrorists on the Christian faith

Many more

There are thousands of asylum seekers being held in immigration detention around Australia. Despite whether they come with or without a visa, Australia is required to protect the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees. Refugees, under protocol, are not allowed to be returned back to a place where their freedom is at risk, nor people who are at risk of violations of human rights. Until given a visa or removed, Asylum seekers who arrive to Australia, under the Migration Act 1958, are obliged to be held in immigration detention. The average time in immigration detention is found to be 770 days. There is no limit to how long one may be detained.

Off Shore Detention is the detention of people who arrive to Australia by boat seeking asylum. These people are transferred and held in centres in another country while their claim for asylum is processed. This offshore processing was first established in 2001, on Nauru and Manus Island, to give the message that the arrival of illegal boats were not welcomed in Australia. Only Nauru continues as an off-shore processing centre, with 61 asylum seekers and refugees remaining, all in need of immediate evacuation. Off shore detention has put thousands of asylum seekers in unfathomable suffering, with high cruelty and abuse leading to several suicides, 14 deaths in total, and life long trauma.

Perspectives:

Humanistic: Some people with a humanistic view may be against off shore detention. They believe in human rights and the protection of them, having empathy for asylum seekers and refugees. The humanistic perspective is in favour of taking them in, regardless of why they arrived to the new country. They believe that asylum seekers and refugees have the right to live somewhere safe.

Nationalistic: Others with a nationalistic view may be in favour of off shore detention. These people pay attention to the increase in labour supply and the changing availability for health care and education. The nationalistic perspective is focused on the people already within the nation, as a whole. They are also concerned about the economy and losing the nations identity. 

 

Introduction:

Abortion is a heavily debated topic that has existed for decades. Many perspectives exist on this topic ranging from being completely against the idea of killing a child at any time within conception, instead viewing life as sacred and not to be taken. Others would say that abortion is a fundamental right that is a benefit to women across the world and taking the rights from women is a step back for humanity

Pro-Life:

One view is that abortion should be illegal, as it is considered to be the taking of a human life. Those who hold this view often argue that a fetus is a person from the moment of conception, and therefore has a right to life that must be protected. They may also argue that abortion is morally wrong, and that it undermines the sanctity of life. The view of pro-life is not centralized and has many stages. Some may not believe in terminating a pregnancy at certain points in the trimester birth while others will completely disregard any thought of killing a child.

Fact: 30% of taxpayer dollars is spent performing abortions in the U.S.

Prominent Pro-Life Figureheads: 

Conservative commentator and journalist.

former president of the united states.

pop-star

conservative commentator.

Women's Rights and Pro-Abortion:

Many people believe that a woman has the right to make decisions about her own body, including whether to terminate a pregnancy. They argue that a fetus is not a person until it is born as well as that the choice of its life is in the hands of the mother, and that a woman's right to control her own body is important. They may try to say that making abortion illegal would force women to seek unsafe and illegal abortions, putting their health and safety at risk.

Facts: 

Famous Pro-Abortion Figureheads:

 Religion:

Religion is often intertwined with the debate about abortion, as many religious traditions have specific teachings about the value of human life and the moral status of the fetus. For example, the Catholic Church teaches that life begins at conception and that abortion is always wrong, while some Protestant denominations may hold less strict views. In many cases, religious beliefs may influence an individual's stance on abortion. Some may argue that the fetus has a soul and that terminating a pregnancy is a sin, while others may view abortion as a matter of personal freedom and individual choice.

However, it is worth noting that not all individuals of the same religion will hold the same views on abortion. Religious traditions are complex and multifaceted, and individuals may interpret teachings in different ways.

Here is a study done to see the percentage of different religions that believe it to be Legal and Illegal:

                       Legal               Illegal           (%)

Buddhist       82                     17

Catholic        48                     47

Protestant       33                  63

Hindu               68                 29

Jehovah's Witness      18       75

Jewish          83           15

Muslim          55           37

Mormon         27            70

Non - Religious      73       23

*US Study done here: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/views-about-abortion/*

Conclusion:

Regardless of one's religious beliefs, it is important to approach discussions about abortion with sensitivity and respect. It is natural for individuals to feel strongly about their convictions, it is important to remember that others may hold different beliefs, and that mutual understanding and respect are key to constructive dialogue.

Abortion - Angus

Introduction:

Abortion is a heavily debated topic that has existed for decades. Many perspectives exist on this topic ranging from being completely against the idea of killing a child at any time within conception, instead viewing life as sacred and not to be taken. Others would say that abortion is a fundamental right that is a benefit to women across the world and taking the rights from women is a step back for humanity

Pro-Life:

One view is that abortion should be illegal, as it is considered to be the taking of a human life. Those who hold this view often argue that a fetus is a person from the moment of conception, and therefore has a right to life that must be protected. They may also argue that abortion is morally wrong, and that it undermines the sanctity of life. The view of pro-life is not centralized and has many stages. Some may not believe in terminating a pregnancy at certain points in the trimester birth while others will completely disregard any thought of killing a child.

Facts:  

Prominent Pro-Life Figureheads: 

Conservative commentator and journalist.

former president of the United states.

pop-star

conservative commentator.

Women's Rights and Pro-Abortion:

Many people believe that a woman has the right to make decisions about her own body, including whether to terminate a pregnancy. They argue that a fetus is not a person until it is born as well as that the choice of its life is in the hands of the mother, and that a woman's right to control her own body is important. They may try to say that making abortion illegal would force women to seek unsafe and illegal abortions, putting their health and safety at risk.

Facts: 

Famous Pro-Abortion Figureheads:

Religion:

Religion is often intertwined with the debate about abortion, as many religious traditions have specific teachings about the value of human life and the moral status of the fetus. For example, the Catholic Church teaches that life begins at conception and that abortion is always wrong, while some Protestant denominations may hold less strict views. In many cases, religious beliefs may influence an individual's stance on abortion. Some may argue that the fetus has a soul and that terminating a pregnancy is a sin, while others may view abortion as a matter of personal freedom and individual choice.

However, it is worth noting that not all individuals of the same religion will hold the same views on abortion. Religious traditions are complex and multifaceted, and individuals may interpret teachings in different ways.

Here is a study done to see the percentage of different religions that believe it to be Legal and Illegal:

                       Legal               Illegal           (%)

Buddhist       82                     17

Catholic        48                     47

Protestant       33                  63

Hindu               68                 29

Jehovah's Witness      18       75

Jewish          83           15

Muslim          55           37

Mormon         27            70

Non - Religious      73       23

*US Study done here: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/views-about-abortion/*

Conclusion:

Regardless of one's religious beliefs, it is important to approach discussions about abortion with sensitivity and respect. It is natural for individuals to feel strongly about their convictions, it is important to remember that others may hold different beliefs, and that mutual understanding and respect are key to constructive dialogue.