Patra Caesar
16-04-2005, 06:06
I'll take off my shirt and serve you drinks for half a million dollar grant... For those of you who are too lazy to read the news articles posted below here is the gist: The government have given half a million dollars to a topless bar to build a confrence room, only they're going to make it into just another bar area. Meanwhile the water quality in the area is avarage at best, but over looked (because everyone was looking at the topless barmaids I guess). In the second article money that was supposed to go towards educating sex workers to the dangers of STDs was instead used to pay for 'bondage classes' for a minority of 'elite.'
Source (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12862644-13762,00.html)
Topless bar gets Federal grant
By Lachlan Heywood
April 15, 2005
A NORTH Queensland pub with topless barmaids was awarded a $500,000 regional grant, but a proposal in the same area to improve water quality was overlooked.
An inquiry into alleged Federal Government pork-barrelling on the Atherton Tableland, west of Cairns, heard yesterday that private businesses were awarded grants in direct competition, and without the knowledge, of other businesses. In one case, a $200,000 grant was offered to a Tolga business to help build a house.
Another $200,000 grant was awarded to develop a caravan park at Kalamunda, eight months before a development application was considered by Atherton Shire Council.
The grants are being investigated by the Senate's finance and public administration committee.
The Atherton Hotel, known locally as the Stump Hotel, was awarded a $500,000 grant to build a conference hall under the Government's controversial sustainable regions scheme in November 2003.
But the hotel's competitors said the taxpayer-funded extension – which is yet to be built – would be used for poker machines and other pub activities.
The pub currently had topless barmaids on Wednesday nights, the inquiry in Cairns was told.
"If they want to do it with their own money (they can), not if they are going to get $500,000 so they can extend the area for topless barmaids," said Michael Nasser, who runs the nearby Barron Valley Hotel.
Mr Nasser said proper checks were not carried out and the grant was awarded against guidelines that prohibit projects competing with existing businesses.
Atherton Shire councillor Len Curtis said regional grants were meant to benefit the whole region, not selected individuals.
"I have no problem with the funding at all, it's just the way it has been managed," he said.
"The caravan park (at Kalamunda) was not even approved when the money was given."
Dimbulah Reticulated Water Supply Action Group spokesman Dennis McKinley told the inquiry he was disgusted approaches for funding to fix the town's water problems were dismissed.
"I believe the Federal Government has an obligation to provide the very basic commodity of life," he said.
"(But) we were never given the opportunity to put forward a submission in real terms."
In other developments, Tolga Woodworks proprietor Trevor Allwood told the inquiry how a competitor was offered a $200,000 grant – which has not been accepted – to relocate within 50m of his business. Mr Allwood said the money would have been used to build a new factory, showroom and a residence.
Source (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12862648-13762,00.html)
Taxpayers fund bondage workshop
By Paul Dyer
April 15, 2005
NORTHERN Territory taxpayers funded sadomasochism and bondage workshops, it was revealed last night.
The Northern Territory News has learned a $2500 grant was given to the Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP).
It was spent on three workshops on 'bondage discipline and sadomasochistic practice'.
Attended by Top End sex workers, the three-hour workshops were held late last year at Brown's Mart in Darwin.
They were hosted by two Brisbane experts - Mr Big Pants and Mistress Natasha.
The Northern Territory News obtained a copy of the SWOP newsletter, which is marked 'not for general distribution or display'.
It states: 'Mistress Natasha shared her skills on sexy sexually transmitted infection checks.
'(She) had a lot of props and costumes to show and play. Mr Big Pants talked about introducing fetish and fantasy into your service.'
The article also states: 'SWOP was able to get funding to run this workshop from the Community Benefit Fund (CBF).'
The CBF distributes about $1.5 million in grants each year to non-profit community-based Territory groups.
The money is raised from a levy imposed on electronic gaming machines in licensed hotels.
Opposition MLA John Elferink said last night the money would have been better spent promoting Territory business.
``It goes to the heart of how this Government spends taxpayers' money,'' Mr Elferink said.
NT Treasury communications director Amanda Balchin said last night the funding was provided under the small grants program.
``That's in keeping with the intent of the program.''
Source (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12862644-13762,00.html)
Topless bar gets Federal grant
By Lachlan Heywood
April 15, 2005
A NORTH Queensland pub with topless barmaids was awarded a $500,000 regional grant, but a proposal in the same area to improve water quality was overlooked.
An inquiry into alleged Federal Government pork-barrelling on the Atherton Tableland, west of Cairns, heard yesterday that private businesses were awarded grants in direct competition, and without the knowledge, of other businesses. In one case, a $200,000 grant was offered to a Tolga business to help build a house.
Another $200,000 grant was awarded to develop a caravan park at Kalamunda, eight months before a development application was considered by Atherton Shire Council.
The grants are being investigated by the Senate's finance and public administration committee.
The Atherton Hotel, known locally as the Stump Hotel, was awarded a $500,000 grant to build a conference hall under the Government's controversial sustainable regions scheme in November 2003.
But the hotel's competitors said the taxpayer-funded extension – which is yet to be built – would be used for poker machines and other pub activities.
The pub currently had topless barmaids on Wednesday nights, the inquiry in Cairns was told.
"If they want to do it with their own money (they can), not if they are going to get $500,000 so they can extend the area for topless barmaids," said Michael Nasser, who runs the nearby Barron Valley Hotel.
Mr Nasser said proper checks were not carried out and the grant was awarded against guidelines that prohibit projects competing with existing businesses.
Atherton Shire councillor Len Curtis said regional grants were meant to benefit the whole region, not selected individuals.
"I have no problem with the funding at all, it's just the way it has been managed," he said.
"The caravan park (at Kalamunda) was not even approved when the money was given."
Dimbulah Reticulated Water Supply Action Group spokesman Dennis McKinley told the inquiry he was disgusted approaches for funding to fix the town's water problems were dismissed.
"I believe the Federal Government has an obligation to provide the very basic commodity of life," he said.
"(But) we were never given the opportunity to put forward a submission in real terms."
In other developments, Tolga Woodworks proprietor Trevor Allwood told the inquiry how a competitor was offered a $200,000 grant – which has not been accepted – to relocate within 50m of his business. Mr Allwood said the money would have been used to build a new factory, showroom and a residence.
Source (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12862648-13762,00.html)
Taxpayers fund bondage workshop
By Paul Dyer
April 15, 2005
NORTHERN Territory taxpayers funded sadomasochism and bondage workshops, it was revealed last night.
The Northern Territory News has learned a $2500 grant was given to the Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP).
It was spent on three workshops on 'bondage discipline and sadomasochistic practice'.
Attended by Top End sex workers, the three-hour workshops were held late last year at Brown's Mart in Darwin.
They were hosted by two Brisbane experts - Mr Big Pants and Mistress Natasha.
The Northern Territory News obtained a copy of the SWOP newsletter, which is marked 'not for general distribution or display'.
It states: 'Mistress Natasha shared her skills on sexy sexually transmitted infection checks.
'(She) had a lot of props and costumes to show and play. Mr Big Pants talked about introducing fetish and fantasy into your service.'
The article also states: 'SWOP was able to get funding to run this workshop from the Community Benefit Fund (CBF).'
The CBF distributes about $1.5 million in grants each year to non-profit community-based Territory groups.
The money is raised from a levy imposed on electronic gaming machines in licensed hotels.
Opposition MLA John Elferink said last night the money would have been better spent promoting Territory business.
``It goes to the heart of how this Government spends taxpayers' money,'' Mr Elferink said.
NT Treasury communications director Amanda Balchin said last night the funding was provided under the small grants program.
``That's in keeping with the intent of the program.''