Sydney's Lord Mayor - Clover Moore - wants to spend nine million dollars on art forms that she thinks will put this city " on the map ". She seems to be missing the point. Sydney is already a world renowned city and it has two signature items that bring instant recognition on the world stage - our famous harbour bridge and the Opera House.
The Lord Mayor has preselected three items that she expects Sydneysiders will take to their hearts. She nominates spending $ 2.5 million on a thirteen metre fibreglass " Milk Crate " to stand in Belmore Basin. a seventy-five metre " Cloud Arch Sculpture " which will welcome shoppers into Gorge street - and straddle the new light rail tracks - and $ 913,000 on " Bronze Birds " which will be dotted above doorways and arches scattered throughout the CBD.
It has been suggested that all or any of these will quickly establish a " presence " - in a similar way to the Eiffel Tower symbolizes France in the minds of the world. That is simply not the way a connection between art and a city - or a country - happens. Art finds it's own place in the world - not the other way around.
The Eiffel Tower would be a case in point. It was built in 1889 as a temporary structure to feature in that city's hosting of the World Fair - and the citizens of Paris loathed it. It was due to be demolished, but it slowly grew on people's affection - and world reaction made it the icon by which France was recognised.
A similar thing happened here in Australia. An animal unique to this country springs to mind when overseas folk think of Australia - and the Kangaroo gained world attention back in1983 when Australia 11 broke a one hundred and thirty two year grip on the Americas cup by America. The " Boxing Kangaroo " flag is now synonymous with this country whenever Australians do battle on the sporting field.
The Archibald Prize for painting is the top art award in this country and yet the winner is always mired in controversy - because art is recognised differently in human minds. Which is precisely why art in all it's forms is in constant competition and the skills of artists waxes and wanes as their work runs the gauntlet of public opinion.
If Clover Moore's choices get the nod and actually get to be constructed it is inevitable that they will receive a very mixed reaction. Some people will love them - and some people will hate them, and above all - many will question the spending of public money when so many other essentials await funding.
It takes a very brave - or very foolish - soul to try and impose their definition of " art " on the ornery minded folk that call Australia home. When the " right " theme appeals to the nation it needs no help in taking it's place as a lasting icon. That happens - at it's own pace and in it's own time !
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
A " Way of Life " threat !
The era of cheap seats on airplanes burst onto the world in 1954 when Boeing rolled out it's new 707 jet airliner. The fact that this offered to fly over one hundred and fifty passengers on each journey brought cost down to the point that an overseas holiday was now within the financial reach of the average person, prompting an expansion of holiday accommodation and tourist facilities on a world wide basis.
Jet engines quickly replaced the old propeller driven aircraft as the urge for bigger and faster drove design engineers to new heights. In short order, we saw the first of the new wider body jets that doubled the seating capacity offered by the 707 - and now Airbus has developed a double decker airliner that is presently the largest passenger jet in the world.
Air travel is firmly cemented into the modern lifestyle. We think nothing of enjoying a holiday in a far country and until recently - safety was not a matter of concern. We were far safer sitting in a seat miles high in the sky than we would be driving a car to join that flight at an airport - until MH 17 was shot out of the sky by a missile over Ukraine.
The military threat to aircraft has long existed but it was concentrated on keeping countries safe from war planes. The " Stinger " shoulder fired missile certainly posed a threat to aircraft at low altitude landing and taking off, but jet liners flew above 33,000 feet and this was considered " safe " in international skies. We ignored war in the world's troublespots - just so long as the air traffic passed overhead at what we considered a safe height.
Just as the aircraft in which we travel constantly add new developments, the weapons of war become more sophisticated, and now there is every chance that Surface to Air Missiles ( SAMS ) are capable of reaching the heights which were previously considered safe - and their spread is reaching more of the world's troublespots. In some areas, " Terrorist " insurgents have morphed into regular armies and have the backing of the great powers - and their armament industries.
We can no longer safely assume that airliners are risk free travelling over the world's hot spots. To deliver the cheapest seat prices, airline companies fly the most direct route between destinations, and that is now under review. Diverting can add thousands of dollars in fuel costs to each flight and it may be necessary to install military quality defence equipment to our airline fleets - and those costs may see the end of the overseas holiday dreams for many people.
Sadly, religious intolerance puts ordinary western citizens in the sights of some terrorist organizations and should they get the means to destroy airliners in flight, there is no doubt that they would proceed with pleasure. Perhaps we are about to see the dawning of a new era - where the terror war gets the equipment it needs to bring to an end the days of safe, carefree travel to experience the joys of the world.
One thing is painfully certain. The need to take precautions and avoid flying over danger spots will certainly add to travel costs and whatever security measures that need to be added to planes will certainly apply to ticket prices. At the same time, the moment we settle into our airline seat we will have a vague feeling at the back of our mind - that travel today is not as blissfully safe as it was a few short years ago.
That missile firing in Ukraine changed the expectation of air safety - forever !
Jet engines quickly replaced the old propeller driven aircraft as the urge for bigger and faster drove design engineers to new heights. In short order, we saw the first of the new wider body jets that doubled the seating capacity offered by the 707 - and now Airbus has developed a double decker airliner that is presently the largest passenger jet in the world.
Air travel is firmly cemented into the modern lifestyle. We think nothing of enjoying a holiday in a far country and until recently - safety was not a matter of concern. We were far safer sitting in a seat miles high in the sky than we would be driving a car to join that flight at an airport - until MH 17 was shot out of the sky by a missile over Ukraine.
The military threat to aircraft has long existed but it was concentrated on keeping countries safe from war planes. The " Stinger " shoulder fired missile certainly posed a threat to aircraft at low altitude landing and taking off, but jet liners flew above 33,000 feet and this was considered " safe " in international skies. We ignored war in the world's troublespots - just so long as the air traffic passed overhead at what we considered a safe height.
Just as the aircraft in which we travel constantly add new developments, the weapons of war become more sophisticated, and now there is every chance that Surface to Air Missiles ( SAMS ) are capable of reaching the heights which were previously considered safe - and their spread is reaching more of the world's troublespots. In some areas, " Terrorist " insurgents have morphed into regular armies and have the backing of the great powers - and their armament industries.
We can no longer safely assume that airliners are risk free travelling over the world's hot spots. To deliver the cheapest seat prices, airline companies fly the most direct route between destinations, and that is now under review. Diverting can add thousands of dollars in fuel costs to each flight and it may be necessary to install military quality defence equipment to our airline fleets - and those costs may see the end of the overseas holiday dreams for many people.
Sadly, religious intolerance puts ordinary western citizens in the sights of some terrorist organizations and should they get the means to destroy airliners in flight, there is no doubt that they would proceed with pleasure. Perhaps we are about to see the dawning of a new era - where the terror war gets the equipment it needs to bring to an end the days of safe, carefree travel to experience the joys of the world.
One thing is painfully certain. The need to take precautions and avoid flying over danger spots will certainly add to travel costs and whatever security measures that need to be added to planes will certainly apply to ticket prices. At the same time, the moment we settle into our airline seat we will have a vague feeling at the back of our mind - that travel today is not as blissfully safe as it was a few short years ago.
That missile firing in Ukraine changed the expectation of air safety - forever !
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
" New Era " for Credit !
This week the practice of authorising a purchase made with a credit card by signing your name will come to an end. From August 1 the vast array of terminals scattered throughout the shopping world will require customers to use a four digit PIN to validate every purchase - and that will create a massive problem for the huge number of elderly people making the slow descent into the fog of Dementia.
Sadly, it may tip the balance for those managing diminishing faculties. Some people who retain the ability to write and remember their own name find it impossible to remember a four digit number. This brings the risk that they will write that number down and keep it on their person, increasing their vulnerability for robbery. It also raises the likelihood that many may be forced to limit their purchases to the new " Tap and Go " chip on their card - which includes purchases of no more than one hundred dollars.
The relentless progress of electronics seems to forget the vast grey army who live in a twilight world. Their car is an essential method of transport, and yet advancing years are imposing more stringent restrictions on their right to hold a valid driving license. These are the people the government is desperate to keep in their own homes to avoid spiralling costs of nursing home care. They are usually the least remembered when it comes to the implementation of new methods to either cut costs or increase the speed of commerce.
It is a bewildering world for the many who have locked memories from an era just a few years past. Those were the days when the telephone was their main means of communication - and news came when the daily newspaper arrived on their doorstep. The Internet and the Smartphone were appliances they never really learned to understand - and they are totally mesmerised by the magic gismos that delivery people produce whenever a home delivery happens.
Having a Smartphone thrust into one's hand with an electronic stylus with which a signature is expected can be daunting for even a younger person, and the fact that the resulting signature would be completely unrecogniseable to their bank manager seems of little consequence. Welcome to the world of the twenty-first century !
This change to the credit card protocols will certainly cause it's share of problems, but these problems are simply a challenge that needs solution if the elderly are to maintain their way of life and not become an additional burden on the government. Much good work has already been done in organizing home help to provide basic cleaning - and now a shopping service may need to be added to that list.
Every new innovation needs a degree of modification to ensure that it can be used by the whole spectrum of humanity !
Sadly, it may tip the balance for those managing diminishing faculties. Some people who retain the ability to write and remember their own name find it impossible to remember a four digit number. This brings the risk that they will write that number down and keep it on their person, increasing their vulnerability for robbery. It also raises the likelihood that many may be forced to limit their purchases to the new " Tap and Go " chip on their card - which includes purchases of no more than one hundred dollars.
The relentless progress of electronics seems to forget the vast grey army who live in a twilight world. Their car is an essential method of transport, and yet advancing years are imposing more stringent restrictions on their right to hold a valid driving license. These are the people the government is desperate to keep in their own homes to avoid spiralling costs of nursing home care. They are usually the least remembered when it comes to the implementation of new methods to either cut costs or increase the speed of commerce.
It is a bewildering world for the many who have locked memories from an era just a few years past. Those were the days when the telephone was their main means of communication - and news came when the daily newspaper arrived on their doorstep. The Internet and the Smartphone were appliances they never really learned to understand - and they are totally mesmerised by the magic gismos that delivery people produce whenever a home delivery happens.
Having a Smartphone thrust into one's hand with an electronic stylus with which a signature is expected can be daunting for even a younger person, and the fact that the resulting signature would be completely unrecogniseable to their bank manager seems of little consequence. Welcome to the world of the twenty-first century !
This change to the credit card protocols will certainly cause it's share of problems, but these problems are simply a challenge that needs solution if the elderly are to maintain their way of life and not become an additional burden on the government. Much good work has already been done in organizing home help to provide basic cleaning - and now a shopping service may need to be added to that list.
Every new innovation needs a degree of modification to ensure that it can be used by the whole spectrum of humanity !
Monday, 28 July 2014
Armed force - and consequences !
Investigating the downed Malaysian Airlines jet and the recovery of passenger remains has been a long and frustrating process. The MH 17 wreck is in a war zone and access is in the hands of rebels trying to wrest that part of the country from Ukrainian control - with barely concealed assistance from the Russian military. While Russia is providing both men and materials to the struggle, it is uncertain just what degree of control Vladimir Putin has over the decisions of the local insurgents leadership.
It is now evident that there is a large amount of undiscovered human remains scattered across a huge site and this is being degraded by the peak European summer weather - and unless it is quickly recovered it will be lost for all time. This needs a large body of searchers to proceed on a grid pattern to carry out a disciplined search and it is not certain if the armed rebels on site will allow this to happen. The suggestion that a fresh investigation team be accompanied by a mix of armed police and armed military troops opens the prospect of unforeseeable consequences.
It is one of the cardinal rules of military strategy - to never task an under equipped army to engage in confrontation with a force with greater numbers and superior fire power. That outcome leads to certain defeat - and humiliation. It is a fact of life that Russia has endowed the rebels fighting in Ukraine with the sophisticated SAM missiles that destroyed MH 17 , and they have matched the Ukrainian army with tanks, artillery and other heavy weapons. A lightly armed protective force to guard investigators would be no match should a confrontation lead to an actual fire fight.
The fact that the eyes of the world are on this crash site and Vladimir Putin has suffered much of the blame has led to a degree of conciliation. Sanctions have hurt his economy - and should the rebels continue to block access as the time for the recovery of remains declines - world anger will increase and the pressure will mount for him to use his powers to reach a settlement.
Sending in an armed force could have the opposite effect. In such a situation, the possibility of misinterpretation and accidental conflict can have unintended consequences - and so often these spin so totally out of control that the end play is unimaginable.
If armed force is to be used to solve the MH 17 dilemma in Ukraine it would need to be sanctioned by the world body - and be of a proportion to counter the full forces of the opposition. That is out of the question in the present circumstances !
It is now evident that there is a large amount of undiscovered human remains scattered across a huge site and this is being degraded by the peak European summer weather - and unless it is quickly recovered it will be lost for all time. This needs a large body of searchers to proceed on a grid pattern to carry out a disciplined search and it is not certain if the armed rebels on site will allow this to happen. The suggestion that a fresh investigation team be accompanied by a mix of armed police and armed military troops opens the prospect of unforeseeable consequences.
It is one of the cardinal rules of military strategy - to never task an under equipped army to engage in confrontation with a force with greater numbers and superior fire power. That outcome leads to certain defeat - and humiliation. It is a fact of life that Russia has endowed the rebels fighting in Ukraine with the sophisticated SAM missiles that destroyed MH 17 , and they have matched the Ukrainian army with tanks, artillery and other heavy weapons. A lightly armed protective force to guard investigators would be no match should a confrontation lead to an actual fire fight.
The fact that the eyes of the world are on this crash site and Vladimir Putin has suffered much of the blame has led to a degree of conciliation. Sanctions have hurt his economy - and should the rebels continue to block access as the time for the recovery of remains declines - world anger will increase and the pressure will mount for him to use his powers to reach a settlement.
Sending in an armed force could have the opposite effect. In such a situation, the possibility of misinterpretation and accidental conflict can have unintended consequences - and so often these spin so totally out of control that the end play is unimaginable.
If armed force is to be used to solve the MH 17 dilemma in Ukraine it would need to be sanctioned by the world body - and be of a proportion to counter the full forces of the opposition. That is out of the question in the present circumstances !
Sunday, 27 July 2014
Intimidating the legal system !
Yesterday, Green activists dealt a shocking blow to our system of law and order when a young man who released a fake press release which wiped over three million dollars off the share price of a company listed on the stock exchange - walked away with just a two year good behaviour bond.
Jonathan Moylan ( 26 ) issued a press release on ANZ bank letterhead reporting that the bank had withdrawn a $ 1.2 billion loan to develop Whitehaven Coal's Maulls Creek coal mine - because of concern about the volatility of the coal industry. Immediately, the share price dropped precipitously as both institutional investors and Mum and Dad self managed retirement schemes dropped their holdings - and ran for the door. This act of industrial sabotage wiped over three hundred million dollars off the share price - and a lot of innocent people lost money.
What must be of concern to our concept of a stable legal system is the tactics used by the Green activist movement to secure the release without punishment of a fellow activist who had clearly broken the law in pursuing his objectives. The movement has conducted street rallies and public meetings - well covered by the media - and on judgement day they filled the court with supporters carrying signs demanding his release. Clearly, the objective was intimidation. The Green movement was sending a message that their opposition to the mining and use of coal would not be constrained by the need to conform with any law. They were publicly proclaiming Moylan as a hero - and demanding that his breach of an important economic law be ignored.
It is essential that the money market has confidence in the integrity of prices on the trading floor. The release of false press releases is a serious crime and when the end result is a deliberate scam to cause investors to lose money it comes under the same credentials as robbery - nomatter what excuses are offered. It seems that the intimidation of the courts now takes precedence over the actual statutes of law that apply to such cases.
Moylan has said that he is " sorry " for any loss caused, and provided he avoids any type of offence for the next two years he is home free. However, this finding opens the door for any similar young man with the ability to create a similar attack on a company in the sights of the Green movement - and a court precedent has been set in the area of punishment handed down. If that happens, the Green movement will again close ranks, take to the streets - and do their best to intimidate by using the media to enhance what the public estimate to be their numbers.
It is hard to differentiate between the tactics of the Greens - and the methods used by various terrorist organizations. It seems that both have contempt for our legal system - until it happens to suit their cause - and both consider themselves way above the law.
Jonathan Moylan ( 26 ) issued a press release on ANZ bank letterhead reporting that the bank had withdrawn a $ 1.2 billion loan to develop Whitehaven Coal's Maulls Creek coal mine - because of concern about the volatility of the coal industry. Immediately, the share price dropped precipitously as both institutional investors and Mum and Dad self managed retirement schemes dropped their holdings - and ran for the door. This act of industrial sabotage wiped over three hundred million dollars off the share price - and a lot of innocent people lost money.
What must be of concern to our concept of a stable legal system is the tactics used by the Green activist movement to secure the release without punishment of a fellow activist who had clearly broken the law in pursuing his objectives. The movement has conducted street rallies and public meetings - well covered by the media - and on judgement day they filled the court with supporters carrying signs demanding his release. Clearly, the objective was intimidation. The Green movement was sending a message that their opposition to the mining and use of coal would not be constrained by the need to conform with any law. They were publicly proclaiming Moylan as a hero - and demanding that his breach of an important economic law be ignored.
It is essential that the money market has confidence in the integrity of prices on the trading floor. The release of false press releases is a serious crime and when the end result is a deliberate scam to cause investors to lose money it comes under the same credentials as robbery - nomatter what excuses are offered. It seems that the intimidation of the courts now takes precedence over the actual statutes of law that apply to such cases.
Moylan has said that he is " sorry " for any loss caused, and provided he avoids any type of offence for the next two years he is home free. However, this finding opens the door for any similar young man with the ability to create a similar attack on a company in the sights of the Green movement - and a court precedent has been set in the area of punishment handed down. If that happens, the Green movement will again close ranks, take to the streets - and do their best to intimidate by using the media to enhance what the public estimate to be their numbers.
It is hard to differentiate between the tactics of the Greens - and the methods used by various terrorist organizations. It seems that both have contempt for our legal system - until it happens to suit their cause - and both consider themselves way above the law.
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Botched Executions !
Use of the " Death Penalty " for the most serious crimes has been replaced with " life with no possibility of parole " in many world jurisdictions. Surprisingly, the United States of America is one of the few countries that sticks with punishing murder by application of the death penalty, and over the years the form this takes has taken some strange twists and turns.
In earlier centuries, hanging and death by a firing squad were common, but the Americans were innovative and the death procedure moved on to what was called " the Electric chair " - and later to the " Gas chamber ". We were assured that all these were both quick and relatively painless, and it became the custom to demand that the ending of a felon's life be conducted in a " merciful " manner.
In recent times, this morphed into the condemned being strapped down onto a gurney and connected to a machine that dispensed drugs. On a time schedule, drugs that rendered the person unconscious flowed through needles inserted in veins and then a drug mix that stopped the heart took effect. The attending doctor then pronounced that death had occurred.
This has been the principle execution method in America for past decades, but activism amongst the manufacturers of the drugs used has resulted in supply bans stopping their availability. As a result, executions seem to be stuck in a time warp as prison authorities try various other drug combinations to overcome the ban - and in some cases this has had disastrous results.
This week in Florence, Arizona a condemned murderer took one hour and fifty-seven minutes to die when the drugs used failed to deliver a merciful death. It was obvious to those tasked with witnessing the execution that this man died a " slow and agonising death " - and yet there are no plans to revert to older methods of execution that avoid this outcome.
Similar situations have occurred in the few states that still insist on imposing the death penalty and this has breathed new life into the activists who want executions banned completely and the hardliners who fear that unless they can quickly find a reliable - and painless - method of death the matter may be decided by the US Supreme court.
To some victims of crime there may be a degree of satisfaction in knowing that executions strike terror into the hearts of the condemned. The prospect of a long and lingering death for the occupants of " death row " may possibly atone for the misery their actions caused to the families of the bereaved. Not everyone believes that execution should be a "merciful release " - and the present situation delivers a revenge factor.
It seems strange that in this wonderful age that has seen a human land on the moon and in which humans are instantly connected to one another on a world wide basis by electronic communications - we are still mixing various chemicals and wondering how to achieve a painless death for those that have crossed the threshold of " unacceptable behaviour " - and are condemned to die.
It seems that despite great leaps of progress - we still have much to learn !
In earlier centuries, hanging and death by a firing squad were common, but the Americans were innovative and the death procedure moved on to what was called " the Electric chair " - and later to the " Gas chamber ". We were assured that all these were both quick and relatively painless, and it became the custom to demand that the ending of a felon's life be conducted in a " merciful " manner.
In recent times, this morphed into the condemned being strapped down onto a gurney and connected to a machine that dispensed drugs. On a time schedule, drugs that rendered the person unconscious flowed through needles inserted in veins and then a drug mix that stopped the heart took effect. The attending doctor then pronounced that death had occurred.
This has been the principle execution method in America for past decades, but activism amongst the manufacturers of the drugs used has resulted in supply bans stopping their availability. As a result, executions seem to be stuck in a time warp as prison authorities try various other drug combinations to overcome the ban - and in some cases this has had disastrous results.
This week in Florence, Arizona a condemned murderer took one hour and fifty-seven minutes to die when the drugs used failed to deliver a merciful death. It was obvious to those tasked with witnessing the execution that this man died a " slow and agonising death " - and yet there are no plans to revert to older methods of execution that avoid this outcome.
Similar situations have occurred in the few states that still insist on imposing the death penalty and this has breathed new life into the activists who want executions banned completely and the hardliners who fear that unless they can quickly find a reliable - and painless - method of death the matter may be decided by the US Supreme court.
To some victims of crime there may be a degree of satisfaction in knowing that executions strike terror into the hearts of the condemned. The prospect of a long and lingering death for the occupants of " death row " may possibly atone for the misery their actions caused to the families of the bereaved. Not everyone believes that execution should be a "merciful release " - and the present situation delivers a revenge factor.
It seems strange that in this wonderful age that has seen a human land on the moon and in which humans are instantly connected to one another on a world wide basis by electronic communications - we are still mixing various chemicals and wondering how to achieve a painless death for those that have crossed the threshold of " unacceptable behaviour " - and are condemned to die.
It seems that despite great leaps of progress - we still have much to learn !
Friday, 25 July 2014
A clash of cultures !
A 29 year old, Sydney born Muslim woman is facing a six month prison term in Lebanon because she has come into conflict with strict Islamic laws that regulate sex. She separated from her Sydney husband and has the care of her two children, aged six and nine - and expects that in due course her separation will proceed to divorce.
She has entered into a new relationship with another Sydney Muslim man and they planned a holiday together to visit Lebanon. Apparently a relative of her husband learned of their presence in that country, tipped off the religious police and both have had their passports seized, preventing them leaving Lebanon - and they will both be required to face a court.
This carefree holiday has turned into a disaster. She suspects that involving the police was of malicious intent to stop her returning to her children in Sydney, and the publicity has caused her own family to disown her. She is appealing to the Australian Consulate for help to sort out this mess.
This should be a clear warning to those travelling overseas to carefully examine the the religious laws that apply in the countries they plan to visit. Even so, there is a risk that some Muslim countries with a burgeoning tourist trade tend to ignore them in the interests of keeping the tourists happy, but they could be used to stop departure in the event of a motor accident or other event that became controversial.
The severity of laws pertaining to sex vary widely. The penalty for adultery in some countries is stoning to death and even failing to have hair covered can lead to a public whipping in others, and there is little that the Australian Diplomatic service can do to mitigate punishments.
The danger comes from Muslims born and raised in Australia who assume that our liberal laws on relationships and sex are universal. When we enter a foreign country, we are subjected to their laws. Young people of the opposite sex having a holiday together are particularly vulnerable to falling foul of Muslim chastity laws. The fact that they are travelling together - unchaperoned - is sufficient to bring charges that they have engaged in illicit sex.
Even legitimately married couples visiting a Muslim country would be wise to include a photostat of their marriage certificate with their travel papers - to be on the safe side !
She has entered into a new relationship with another Sydney Muslim man and they planned a holiday together to visit Lebanon. Apparently a relative of her husband learned of their presence in that country, tipped off the religious police and both have had their passports seized, preventing them leaving Lebanon - and they will both be required to face a court.
This carefree holiday has turned into a disaster. She suspects that involving the police was of malicious intent to stop her returning to her children in Sydney, and the publicity has caused her own family to disown her. She is appealing to the Australian Consulate for help to sort out this mess.
This should be a clear warning to those travelling overseas to carefully examine the the religious laws that apply in the countries they plan to visit. Even so, there is a risk that some Muslim countries with a burgeoning tourist trade tend to ignore them in the interests of keeping the tourists happy, but they could be used to stop departure in the event of a motor accident or other event that became controversial.
The severity of laws pertaining to sex vary widely. The penalty for adultery in some countries is stoning to death and even failing to have hair covered can lead to a public whipping in others, and there is little that the Australian Diplomatic service can do to mitigate punishments.
The danger comes from Muslims born and raised in Australia who assume that our liberal laws on relationships and sex are universal. When we enter a foreign country, we are subjected to their laws. Young people of the opposite sex having a holiday together are particularly vulnerable to falling foul of Muslim chastity laws. The fact that they are travelling together - unchaperoned - is sufficient to bring charges that they have engaged in illicit sex.
Even legitimately married couples visiting a Muslim country would be wise to include a photostat of their marriage certificate with their travel papers - to be on the safe side !
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