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March 28, 2024

Assange won’t go to US without lawyers

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Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discrete corners? Perhaps it...

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Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.

Murwillumbah’s Rebecca Whan recognised for tireless work post 2022 floods

Murwillumbah was severely impacted by the 2022 floods and it was a huge community effort to support, rescue and inspire everyone to move forward. 

It’s a biggest little town festival! 

Supporters, performers, and volunteers gathered to launch the Mullum Laneways Festival 2024 last Friday. 

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

Laid-back but lively

Ooz is an acoustic roots reggae artist with a large, eclectic repertoire of crowd favourites. His unique, laid-back but lively style creates a relaxed atmosphere and his song choices have you remembering many of those forgotten classics.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Why Being Seen is Beautiful

There is something profound about being seen. Being accepted and loved for exactly who you are. It’s life changing. It’s simple. It’s transformative. But some people don’t get to experience this. Nearly half of transgender Australians have attempted suicide.That data tells the very real impact of discrimination, stigma and lack of access to gender-affirming surgery. I write this as a woman who was born a woman, who identifies as a woman. I’ll admit, that even in that gender role, that fits within the societal binary, I’ve had my own challenges.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who has been holed for years inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London. (file pic)
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who has been holed for years inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London. (file pic)

Julian Assange claims former US president Barrack Obama only pardoned whistleblower Chelsea Manning to make life hard for him.

‘Let”s look at it from their (US) perspective. If we give Chelsea Manning clemency, what’s the result?’ the Wikileaks founder told Waleed Aly of Ten’s The Project on Tuesday night, clarifying his offer to be extradited to the US.

‘It’s going to make life hard for Assange because either he’s going to get extradited to the United States or we’re going to show he’s a liar and both of things are going to make life hard for Assange and therefore it’s OK to pardon Chelsea Manning and that’s what happened.’

Last week Assange said there would be “many discussions” on his future before Manning leaves prison in May, after Mr Obama used his final hours in the White House to allow Manning to go free nearly 30 years early.

During the interview, Assange maintained he would accept extradition to the US but wasn’t an “idiot” who would do so without lawyers.

‘We are going to have a discussion with the (Department of Justice) about what that looks like,’ Assange said.

‘The ball is in their court.”
Assange has been living at the Ecuadorian embassy since 2012 for fear of being extradited to the US.

He has refused to meet prosecutors in Sweden, where he remains wanted on an allegation of rape, fearing he would be extradited to the US to face espionage charges if he leaves the embassy.

The US Justice Department has never announced any indictment of Assange and it’s not clear that any charges have been brought under seal.

Ms Manning, the transgender former intelligence analyst born Bradley Manning, said she had passed on government and military documents to raise awareness about the impact of war.


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Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.