Tasmanian tiger clones one step closer
University of Melbourne scientists have successfully extracted genes from the long-extinct Thylacine (a.k.a. Tasmanian tiger) and implanted them in a mouse embryo.
Professor Archer is hopeful the thylacine can be brought back in his lifetime.
“I’m personally convinced this is going to happen. We are working on a number of projects like this. I’ve got another group working on another extinct Australian animal and we think this is highly probable,” he said.
The last tasmanian tiger died in the Hobart Zoo in 1936.
I totally want a pet Thylacine.
Image: ABC/University of Melbourne
Budget Paper No 2
Here’s what it costs to remove discrimination against same-sex couples - straight from the federal budget:
Removal of differential treatment of same‑sex couples and their children — law reform
The Government will prospectively remove differential treatment of same‑sex couples and their children from Commonwealth laws (except where they rely on the Family Law Act 1975 definitions and presumptions) in the areas of Australian Government (defined benefit) superannuation schemes, social security, veterans’ entitlements, workplace relations, workers’ compensation, taxation, health (including Medicare, pharmaceutical benefits and hearing services) and immigration and citizenship. The measure is expected to result in net savings of $66.0 million over four years.
The majority of the expenditure in 2008‑09 will be to implement changes to Centrelink’s payment systems.
Legislative changes are expected to take effect on 1 July 2009 with the exception of Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Nets (1 January 2009) and Fringe Benefits Tax (1 April 2009). Amendments to the Australian Government (defined benefit) superannuation schemes will commence on a date to be set by proclamation, with amendments related to superannuation and taxation of death benefit payments having effect from 1 July 2008.
This measure delivers on the Government’s election commitment.
The budget papers don’t give a lot of detail about the government’s plans, but they do give us some dates to work to: most of the changes will take effect on 1 July next year, except for the FBT and Medicare/PBS safety net changes, which will take effect from 1 January, and some superannuation changes which will be in force from 1 July this year.
Rather than costing the government $300-$400 million (as had been predicted), “The measure is expected to result in net savings of $66.0 million over four years.” So it really wasn’t so hard after all, was it?
links for 2008-05-13
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A successful city is a place in which as many people as possible have the most choice, to make of it what they want and need. It’s a place of multiple definitions overlapping but not necessarily interfering with all the others.
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I love the way that John Heard, an extreme right-wing Roman Catholic reactionary, claims to speak on behalf of queer Australia. Andrew Sullivan he is not.
Condom Song
Posting has been slow recently (I’m busy, dammit!) so here’s a bit of viral video for your amusement
Store Wars
This is why we <heart> the interwebs:
