Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls this week announced a controversial deal allowing church-run organisations to discriminate against single mothers, gays, and lesbians.

Under changes to the State’s Equal Opportunity Act, religious organisations can refuse to provide services or employ a person on the basis of their sexuality, marital status and religious beliefs.

The changes will be introduced early next year, and will require victims of discrimination to make a complaint and the religious body to justify their decision.

Professor Margaret Thornton is a discrimination law expert at ANU. She spoke to 2SER’s Rebecca Leaver about the changes.

Are dog breeders taking it too far with man’s best friend these days?

That’s the question asked in the controversial documentary, ‘Pedigree Dogs Exposed’, which was recently broadcast on the ABC.

The film suggests that the health and welfare of pedigree dogs is being severely compromised by decades of inbreeding.

And that breeding is primarily being done for appearance rather than for the health or well being of the animals themselves.

At the University of Sydney this week, a panel of experts in fields related to canine genetics, breeding, and welfare discussed the issue.

2SER's David Fanner reports.

The future funding viability of some charitable organisations could be at risk due to a Federal Court ruling made this week.

The ruling found in favour of the Australian Taxation Office to restrict the legal definition of a charitable organisation for taxation purposes.

Aid/Watch, a small charity that monitors how Australian foreign aid is distributed, has been the first casualty of the ruling.

It has been stripped of its charitable status because it has a ‘view’ on government policy.

The Federal Court ruling has raised concerns that public debate could be stifled as the core function of environmental and charitable organisations is put under threat.

2ser’s Alex Angel spoke with Aid Watch’s Dr James Goodman.

The global financial crisis has hit hard in many developing countries, but it’s taking its biggest toll on young women.

According to a new report by aid agency Plan International Australia, they are the first to lose their jobs and miss out on education as families are pushed further into poverty.

Chief Executive Ian Wishart says it reveals an attitude in the developing world that girls are not as important as boys.

He warns human rights for women could be set back decades if the impact of the global financial crisis is ignored.

As 2SER’S Britta Jorgensen reports, helping these young women could be the best way to end poverty for good.

2009 marks China’s 60th Anniversary under communist rule and the country is celebrating with three days of festivals and parades starting October 1st.

But for Tibet, this is the anniversary of the most tragic event in their recent history - the 50th year since an uprising forced the Dalai Lama out of the country.

Tensions are high and Tibet’s tourism bureau has stopped issuing visitor entry permits until October 8.

Without foreign access to the country the flow of information in and out of Tibet is severely limited.

2SER's Jessica Bineth spoke to Simon Bradshaw from the Australian Tibet Council.

New figures released by Federal Treasury, suggest Australia’s population will rise by 13.5 million people, or 65 per cent, over the next 40 years.

This is due to a huge increase in both fertility and migration rates.

Environment groups have called on the government to stabilize or reduce the predicted growth, but big business generally supports the prospect of larger numbers of consumers.

Ben Eltham from the Centre for Policy Development believes the existing projection of nine billion people worldwide is unsustainable.

He's speaking here with 2SER's Ann Deslandes.

A former senior Lao official in international co-operation has warned that Laos’ continued dependence on foreign aid could lead the nation to ruin.

Despite the three-fold increase in foreign aid since Lao’s economic liberalisation in the 1980s, more than 10 percent of Lao people continue to live below the international poverty line.

And the nation continues to be one of the poorest in South-East Asia.

The book “History of Aid to Laos: Motivation and Impacts” was launched this week. It examines – for the first time - the 55 year history of foreign aid in Laos.

Author Viliam Phraxayavong argues that successive governments in Laos have mismanaged foreign aid.

He also contends that foreign donors have often used aid to serve their own political and economic interests, often to the detriment of Laos.

2ser’s Biwa Kwan reports.

The NSW Nationals and Liberals are calling for an end to measures designed to ensure marine conservation along the state’s coastline.

Nationals MPs Andrew Stoner and Duncan Gay are spearheading the campaign to halt the creation of any more marine parks in NSW.

The parks are designated areas of coastline set aside for management by the Marine Parks Authority.

Traditionally around one fifth of these parks are no-go zones for any extractive activities like fishing, and it’s these sanctuaries that the Opposition is worried about.

They say the Government is denying locals their right to enjoy the great outdoors.

But environmental groups have slammed the Coalition’s vision, saying marine parks and sanctuaries are crucial to ensuring the health of our oceans.

2SER's Sophie Tarr has this report.

The Cancer Council of Victoria released a report this week which shows that higher cigarette prices are the single most effective way to get Australian smokers to quit.

The research shows that price is a bigger motivating force than anti-smoking campaigns and public smoking bans in getting quitters to stick to their decision.

It's been ten years since cigarettes have seen a price increase in Australia.

This research comes as the Commonwealth Government is deciding on whether to increase tobacco taxes by 17% over the next three years.

2SER's Rebecca Leaver spoke to Fiona Sharkie, Executive Director of Quit Victoria.

The Federal Government has been accused of letting a war criminal off the hook.

A Timor Leste man, Gui Campos, was permitted to leave Australia this week after living here since the World Youth Day celebrations of 2008.

The Australian Federal Police had been investigating allegations that Campos had tortured pro-independence activists during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor.

Now that Campos has left the country, the investigation is suspended.

The Federal Government has been widely condemned for allowing Campos to leave before the investigation was concluded.

2SER’s Ann Deslandes reports.

The Rudd government issued a public ultimatum to Telstra this week - split into two separate companies or face losing crucial future business.

The government is trying to force the Telco giant to separate its wholesale and retail arms.

This would allow other telecommunication company's cheaper access to Telstra’s present monopoly on the copper and cable network.

While some commentators say this radical plan will be good for both consumers and Telstra shareholders, others aren't so sure.

But the government is predicting a better outcome for taxpayers, saying the National Broadband plan will be much cheaper to build if Telstra is split.

Telecommunications analyst, Paul Budde is backing the Governments plan.

He spoke with 2SER’s Alex Angel.

Many of Sydney’s historic buildings were saved from redevelopment, during the ‘green bans’ of the 1970s.

Led by the Builders’ Labourers Union, they fought against strong opposition from property developers and the New South Wales government.

The fight was renewed in July this year, when locals successfully campaigned for a green ban on four Victorian terraces in Union Square.

They were set to be demolished by the state government, to build an entrance for the Pyrmont CBD Metro station.

Last week, some of the key figures who took part in the original movement met at Kings Cross Library to reflect on their experiences, and the increasing need for green bans and resident action groups today.

2SER’S Britta Jorgensen reports.

Outspoken Labor MP Julia Irwin announced her retirement from politics this week, but she also had some harsh words for her own party.

Branch-stacking she claims, is alive and well in her electorate and is crippling the effective running of local branches across the country.

Faction leaders are often accused of secretly paying for multiple, bogus, ALP memberships in order to get control of local branches.

Three years after Kevin Rudd declared inner-party factionalism dead, 2SER's David Fanner looks at branch-stacking, and how it continues to affect Australian politics.

Virtually all of your household trash could soon be diverted away from landfill and made into renewable goods.

Sound too good to be true?

Well, in the next few weeks the City of Sydney Council will begin using Jack Gully’s Alternative Waste Treatment, in an effort to cut 70% of domestic waste going to landfill.

While only 4 other Council’s in NSW use the treatment, other local governments are expected to jump on board soon.

2SER’s Jessica Bineth reports.

The Federal Government has initiated discussions with mothers and children affected by harmful adoption practices, offering to include them in an apology with the Forgotten Australians later this year.

This comes ten years after a NSW inquiry found adoption practices between the 1950s and 1970s, were unethical and unlawful.

But adoption support group Origins has rejected the offer of an apology, saying a national inquiry needs to come first.

Origins is concerned an apology without a national inquiry would be used to sweep the issue under the rug.

In Victoria, a 1984 Review into the Adoption Act has been cited as the reason why a state inquiry is unnecessary. Yet at the time the state’s adoption records were not open.

And while inquiries have taken place in NSW and Tasmania ten years ago, there was no formal apology made at the time.

2SER's Biwa Kwan reports.

Bullying is making life for hell for Australian workers.

That’s according to a survey of over 800 Australian employees by Drake International.

The recruitment agency report says that 25% of employees had been subjected to bullying in the workplace.

Doctor Carlo Caponecchia, Lecturer in Risk and Safety Sciences at the University of New South Wales says workplace bullying is a complex phenomenon that needs more
research.

He spoke with 2SER’s Ann Deslandes.

East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta has called for all United Nations investigations into serious crimes by Indonesian officials in East Timor to stop.

He’s suggesting instead that resources be invested in the country’s young judiciary.

This is not mere political rhetoric.

Immediately after he made this statement, Ramos Horta ordered the release of Indonesian militia commander Martenus Bere to the Indonesian embassy in East Timor.

Bere, who is expected to be released in Indonesia in the near future, was indicted for numerous crimes against humanity.

2SER's Alexandra Blucher spoke with Fernanda Borges, an MP and Chair of the East Timor Parliamentary Committee for Constitutional Issues, Justice and Human Rights.

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend", or at least this appears to be the case, as opposition to the state Government's CBD Metro Project continues to build.

The new line, which is estimated to cost 5.3 billion dollars, will extend heavy rail from Central Station, through the city and out to Rozelle in the inner west.

This week's release of the Environmental Assessment Statement, for the underground line, was met by a wave of outrage from right across the political spectrum.

Liberals, Greenies and unions all joined forces this week at a mass rally at Parliament House in Macquarie Street.

2SER's David Fanner was there.

The New South Wales Upper House passed legislation this week allowing the Rees government to privatise its state-owned lottery corporation.

NSW Lotteries generates hundreds of millions in profits each year but it's now set to be taken over by the private sector.

The Coalition decided to support the privatisation after the government agreed to extend special protection for Newsagents, who rely on revenue from the sale of Lotto and scratchie tickets.

But the Greens oppose the legislation saying it will cause more problems for gamblers and young people.

2SER’s Rosie Lewis reports.

This week the federal government launched a sweeping inquiry into politicians allowances.

This includes reviewing the gold travel pass scheme which allows retired MP's free air travel for the rest of their lives.

There are also suggestions that the 160 million dollar postage and printing scheme is being misused.

The government has already decided to cut this program - From October, Lower House MPs will have their annual allowance slashed from $100,000 to $75,000

Independent member for Lyne, Rob Oakshott says the reform will allow members to concentrate upon the job which they are supposed to be doing - representing their electorate.

He spoke with 2SER's Alex Angel.

Domestic violence in the heterosexual community has received a steady stream of media coverage of late.

And the white ribbon day ‘no violence against women’ campaign later this month is also generating press coverage.

But in the gay and lesbian community domestic violence is rarely talked about.

Those who do seek help from health services or the criminal justice system, find there is little or no service provision to deal with same sex domestic violence.

A conference in Sydney yesterday brought together social workers, academics, and police in an effort to address the problem.

2SER's Biwa Kwan reports.

Currently, there are around 230,000, people in Australia suffering with dementia.

That number is expected to be close to 730,000 by 2050 unless there is a medical breakthrough.

Professor John Mamo from the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute has found evidence that certain foods high in saturated fats can increase the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive, degenerative illness that attacks the brain.

As brain cells shrink or disappear the messages within the brain are disrupted and certain functions of abilities are lost.

2SER's Jessica Bineth spoke to Professor Mamo about how this study has revealed new ways of treating and preventing Alzheimer’s.

The Australian Greens say that SBS television should only screen ads in between programs.

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam introduced a bill this week to ban
advertisements during programs on the station.

The Bill, which proposes an amendment to the SBS Act, was originally introduced by the Australian Democrats in 2008.

Senator Ludlam said that reducing ads on SBS should force the Federal Government to pick up any resulting shortfall in revenue.

The Bill is supported by the advocacy group Save Our SBS, who oppose what they say is the commercialization of an important public service.

2SER's Ann Deslandes spoke with Darce Cassidy from Save our SBS.

It was science fiction only a few years ago, but now DNA testing, marketed directly to the consumer is becoming more popular in Australia and around the world.

The tests, which are commonly marketed over the internet, claim to be able to predict future disease risks, such as cancer or mental illness, and even pick up a propensity for alcoholism.

But in a field where the science is moving faster than regulation can keep up, The Australian national university is undertaking a study of consumer experiences of DNA testing.

Sudeepa Abeysinghe, a Phd candidate from the ANU School of Social Sciences is calling for people to take part in the project which will look at the social implications of the technology.

She spoke with 2SER’s David Fanner.

Health professionals played a central role in implementing torture techniques in the CIA interrogation program, according to a report by the Physicians for Human Rights in the US.

The paper analyses the recently declassified CIA Inspector General Report of 2004, finding evidence that physicians and psychologists legimitimised the use of abusive interrogation techniques, and may have been involved in human experimentation.

2SER’s Biwa Kwan reports.

The nature conservation lobby in New South Wales is ramping up its campaign against the commercialisation of national parks.

They say the state Government is currently considering legislative changes, in response to a report from the Tourism Taskforce.

The Taskforce recommended increasing accommodation options for visitors inside national parks, including the construction of new buildings.

But green organisations say that this would threaten biodiversity in the parks.

They also say that if the Government wants to increase tourism in the parks, there are more sustainable models available.

2SER’s Ann Deslandes spoke with Keith Muir from the Colong Foundation for Wilderness.

The Tasmanian Commissioner for Children has started a review into the legalities of male circumcision, and says that parents might not be entitled to cut or wound their children unless it is for a medical purpose.

Paul Mason and the Tasmanian Law reform institute are concerned that the law protecting the doctor who performs the procedure is uncertain, and so could leave them liable for perceived infringements upon the child's rights.

Circumcision rates in Australia have dropped from a high of 90% in the 1970’s to just 10% today.

For some, this legal review is yet another instance of misinformation and propaganda from the anti-circumcision lobby.

Brian Morris is a professor of physiology at the University of Sydney and strongly supports circumcision on health grounds.

He spoke with 2ser's Alex Angel.

The Wilderness Society is calling for a moratorium on the construction of liquid natural gas plants, off the Kimberley coast in Western Australia.

The demand comes after the society conducted an aerial survey that showed hundreds of whales would be threatened by the development.

They're appealing to Kevin Rudd to step in and to declare the area a marine sanctuary zone.

2SER’s Nic Christensen spoke with Josh Coates from the Western Australian Wilderness Society.

He began by asking him about the aerial survey of the Woodside Petroleum development at James Price Point.

Despite its reputation as a ‘soft’ drug, scientific research has linked cannabis with mental illness and psychosis, particularly schizophrenia.

But a UK study published in this month’s Schizophrenia Research journal found evidence that this link may not exist.

Australian researchers are skeptical.

Dr Martin Cohen, chief psychiatrist at the Hunter New England Mental Health Service, led a study last year which concluded that the brain of a heavy cannabis user functions more like that of a schizophrenic.

He spoke with 2SER’s Britta Jorgensen about why the new evidence could be misleading.

As international guests fly in to East Timor today to mark the country's 10th anniversary of independence, human rights groups are calling for action on past atrocities.

More than 1000 people were killed by Indonesian militia groups in 1999 but no one has been held accountable or charged, according to an Amnesty International report.

The report also details how Indonesia, Timor Leste and the UN have failed to bring to account, those involved in the crimes against humanity in the 25 years preceding the vote for independence.

Very few of the Indonesian officers responsible for the murder, rape and torture of thousands of East Timorese have been prosecuted and even less are serving prison sentences.

Dr Clinton Fernandes is an Indonesia expert at the Australian Defence Force Academy - He spoke with 2ser's Alex Angel.

Education Minister Julia Gillard bowed to pressure this week and reworked changes to the Youth Allowance scheme, which would have reduced Centrelink payments to thousands of Uni students.

She announced a compromise which will delay the introduction of the new scheme.

This means that several thousand students currently taking a gap year will no longer be seriously disadvantaged.

It will cost $150 million to ensure these students still qualify, and the delay is necessary to maintain a budget neutral package.

This report from 2SER’s Britta Jorgensen begins with David Barrow from the National Union of Students.

Advocacy group Homebirth Australia have slammed the suggestion that women who oppose reforms to midwifery practices are “wingnuts” and “flat-earthers” who are holding back access to quality care in childbirth.

Under reforms announced by Health Minister Nicola Roxon in the federal Budget, independent midwives attending hospital births will have their fees covered by Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The government will also require professional indemnity insurance for these practitioners, and will provide the insurance for them.

But private midwives operating outside the clinical setting will not be able to access the insurance.

This means that registered midwives will not be legally allowed to attend a home birth, making it more difficult for women to give birth at home.

In an article for the current affairs website Crikey, political reporter Bernard Keane claimed that home birthing advocates were “shouting down” progressive reforms to maternity practices.

2SER’s Ann Deslandes discussed the future of giving birth in Australia with Associate Professor Jennifer Fenwick, who researches maternity practices at the University of Technology Sydney.

The Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma this week outlined plans for a new national body to represent Indigenous Australians.

Five years after its controversial predecessor, ATSIC, was abolished there is great hope that a new body can move aboriginal issues forward.

While some, including Tony Abbott have already criticised the scheme, others are optimistic about the idea.

2SER's Biwa Kwan reports.

Womens groups and the Greens have called on the NSW and Queensland Premiers to urgently act on abortion law reform, following reports that some women are being forced to travel to NSW to have terminations.

In Queensland doctors are refusing to provide abortion services, after a 19-year-old Cairns woman was charged for organising a self-administered abortion.

Abortion is technically unlawful in both states but the procedure is often performed to prevent danger to the woman’s mental and physical health.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon spoke with 2SER's Nastasia Campanella.

Plans to introduce a nation wide Container Deposits system could reduce Australia’s greenhouse emissions by over 1.3 million tones per year.

The scheme, whereby 10 cents is paid on the return of a beverage container, was presented at the Senate Inquiry into the Environment Protection Bill 2009 this week.

Some 2000 reverse vending machines could be situated around Australia to collect not only beverage containers, but other “problem materials” including batteries and e-waste.

If the plan is to go ahead Australia’s recycling rates, currently around the 40% mark, could improve to reach 80%.

The system is expected to create 2000 jobs and save the government at least $83 million per annum in landfill and curbside pick up costs.

2Ser’s Jessica Bineth spoke with Sarah Van Ert, a Waste Minimisation Officer at the Total Environment Centre.