They came with trucks to take his possessions. Matt Thompson had locked the gates only minutes before. For two hours they waited. Matt watched with his camera in case they forced entry.
Where is The West Australian? Are they too busy covering beauty pageants to write about the real news?
I’ve just sent them this link. But I’ve sent them the story twice before. I think they need to hear it from hundreds of people. You can suggest a story to them here, and you can write a letter to The Editor, of The West Australian <[email protected]>.
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They came with a car and two trucks
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The FarmGate to Matts Farm
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The receivers wait at the gate.
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Peter Spencer has inspired many people around the country with his hunger strike last summer
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All the basic information and links
A good place to start: 1. Tyranny: How to destroy a business with environmental red tape
The Community wants them to stay
Their Timeline of success and ruin
Peter Spencer’s story (starts here)
UPDATE:
Update from WA State MP office “The Letters are coming in”:
We have already received about 10 emails today from various people quoting Joanne’s posts on the Thompsons (I work for a Western Australian State MP).
I encourage everyone who reads this to keep sending emails and letters to the WA Govt members, let’s see if we can do what we did with the Federal MPs and the ETS last year when they received thousands of emails protesting against the introduction of an ETS. This resulted in the defeat of the ETS, Opposition leadership change and an about turn in the Coalition’s Climate policy!
See also This list of WA politicians. (h/t Anne-Kit see her comment in #3)
Just a thought…
Where are the local people that supported him before? They should be at the gates.
Too far away for me, or I’d be there. With a placard – of a panda or something – then the MSM might show an interest.
All the best
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The scene itself is dreadful…while Matt is taking the photos, and trying to look after the 4 children.
What an horrendous situation.
Jo you are doing a tremendous job here – so many posters too, thank you.
You could certainly teach our elected MP’s a thing or two !
I have been on Anthonys site, where someone suggested bringing overseas media here to cover the story. I agree with that suggestion.
Shame on MSM – they are just as guilty as the injustices that have placed so much stress on Matt and Janet.
I have emailed and commented to those links above – i agree lets “flood them again”.
This is still a long way to go until it is over. I too like FigiDave would be there in a heartbeat if i physically could.
But by commenting and emailing we are all doing the most that we can – so lets attack our keyboards in anticipation of the meeting today, and what events are about to unfold over the next few days!:)
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Update from WA State MP office:
We have already received about 10 emails today from various people quoting Joanne’s posts on the Thompsons (I work for a Western Australian State MP).
I encourage everyone who reads this to keep sending emails and letters to the WA Govt members, let’s see if we can do what we did with the Federal MPs and the ETS last year when they received thousands of emails protesting against the introduction of an ETS. This resulted in the defeat of the ETS, Opposition leadership change and an about turn in the Coalition’s Climate policy!
You can find a list of Members of WA State Parliament here:
http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/web/newwebparl.nsf/iframewebpages/Legislative+Assembly+-+Current+Members
You can even download lists of emails and other contact details in several formats. Calling their offices works really well – but email as well, the more the better!
Minister Terry Waldron is the local member for Narrogin, and Donna Faragher is Minister for the Environment – they should be especially targeted. If you live in WA, then contact your local member; they HAVE to listen to you!
Personal letters/wording is crucial; if we see lots of form letters/emails they go in the delete bin (unless they are from a constituent).
Also: the subject line should contain a specific call to action, like “Halt eviction of the Thompson family!” for example, and please, please, keep them short and polite – rants and abuse gets the chop!
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Got it Anne-Kit.. I’m on it like [snip] to a blanket.. 😉
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The MSM has a lot to answer for. They beat their breasts & rage when there is mileage in the circulation or brownie points to earn with people or institutions that favour them with information or business. This lack of coverage of the tragic & shameful events surrounding Narrogin Beef is a particularly stark example.
The one sided, edited & cherry picked alarmism they report & foster around CAGW is to me the greatest breach of trust to the media consumers in modern history.
This persistent staggering bias has left the greater part of the populace completely bereft of access to counter arguments or even accurate data with which to form their own opinions.
Any reasoning person cognizant of the facts & bearing a realistic imagination should be able to see that the proposed changes to the economy & society are unprecedented. Further, they will wreak massive changes to our lifestyle, culture, standard of living & life expectancy.
Worse still, if we go down the path of an international Cap & Trade Market Based System, the government, with the ignorant blessing of the electorate, may well be leading Australia as a sovereign nation even further down the path to economic & political subservience.
WAKE UP AUSTRALIA!!!!
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Just sent the following to the West Australian:
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I thought there was somewhere here to donate some money to support the Thompsons. Can’t find it so far…
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@ Steve Schapel
If you scroll back up the screen you will see Jo has put a heading “Donations” just click on it. Good on you mate.
Peter Spencer is now at Matt and Janets property. Now i wonder if the media will finally show up?
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“Mexican standoff at the Farmgate” … hmmm yes I think this is worthy of the -gate suffix. Farm-Gate gets the Bulldust seal of approval.* It may have little to do with climate change, but it has a lot to do with Green activism and government bureuacracy stiffling free enterprise.
* For people somewhat mystified by the comment, I am the same Bulldust that coined ClimateGate last year.
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@Bulldust
Speaking about green activism, check out what those Rising Tide morons did in Newcastle.
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/activists-shut-down-newcastle-coal-exports/1952319.aspx
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Just watched A Current Affair, 8 minutes on Next top model stuff up, 5 minutes on new video games, a piece on value of oversees holidays and buying over the net Vs retail store, and to fill out the time a farmer want’s a wife reunion. fluff, fluff,and more fluff.
About to email about the lack of newsworthiness in their content when stories like the Thompson’s is crying out to be told.
Also emailing the Today show and suggest they send Steve Jacobs to present the weather from the property.
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The last memorable debate in WA parliament was [ ON JUST TERMS] libs and nats where the opposition , debating was Brendon Grylls, Donna Taylor Faragher, Barry House, 3 current ministers who are now in power and SO passionate about property rights after the standing committees report on PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/ THE IMPACT OF STATE GOVERNMENT ACTIONS AND PROCESSES ON THE USE AND ENJOYMENT OF FREEHOLD AND LEASEHOLD LAND IN WA. You are all in a position to change legestlation , that you all said was wrong, 38 recomendations from the 7th report, not one thing has changed, if you read the submissions , this outcome that has affected the Thompsons was vigorously outlined.
Barry House and Troy Buswell met Peter Spencer at the PGA summit, eleven years this saga has been going on over land , i find it appauling that you have any pride in destroying families, worthy efforts to provide for the future , and carry on like the Thompsons and hundreds of others in similar circumstances will be ok.
A SA Senator Cory Bernardi, is a man of courage who gave a great speech in Parliament last night, and every word he spoke was that of a true Australian and STATESMAN.
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Perhaps somebody should flick this yarn to Opra Winfrey so she has some local colour with an American twist which would sell back home!
Even the hint of that sort of publicity would get a few pollies off their arses.
Couldn’t you just picture a glitsy stage set with Opra on the couch asking Julia & Sarah Hansen Young asking awkward questions with a smile on her face!
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This is an abomination!
Are the administrators morally bankrupt? What right do they have to invade the property before the eviction is finalized.
Isn’t this yet another example of Rule by Bureaucrat undermining the Rule of Law for all Parties and all Citizens of Australia?
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My fingers a still crossed that NAB will save the day.
Is there any word about the meeting with NAB?
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While I have every sympathy with the Thompsons, there is something odd about these photos. They are two different sets of gates, and the sky is different. The gates with the view of Mark’s farm has vertical crosspieces, but the gates with the view of the “recievers” and thier trucks does not. The gates are different colors. The grass tussocks do not match up either, and what happened to the large diameter pipe ? The pipe is visible in the picture of the “recievers”, but not in the view of the farm.
The conclusion must be that these are two different locations.
This kind of inconsistency does not help Mark Thompson’s case.
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