Honest Government Ad | Visit Timor-Leste!
Dear Patrons, here's the latest Honest Government Ad you've made possible. And it's a BIG one!
Despite the name, this HGA is about us and our Government's behaviour towards the people of Timor-Leste - one of our poorest neighbours in the region.
Very few people in Australia know about this sordid tale of betrayal - and there is zero content out there (AFAIK) which lays it all out in a clearly accessible way.
So, provided it doesn't get taken down by some butthurt politician or oil executive, I truly believe this video will play a really valuable role in terms of educating the public about an essential chapter of our history.
It's especially relevant now that our Government has decided to prosecute Witness K (a former intelligence agent who blew the whistle on our Government's alleged covert action to defraud Timor of its oil and gas resources). But to fully understand why Witness K's prosecution is so vile and self-serving (rather than about protecting our "national security") I felt it was necessary to explain the deeper history between Australia and Timor-Leste. So that's what this HGA is about.
Anyway, those are the things that motivated me to pull off some unholy all-nighters to research, write and produce this HGA - and make sure it would hit the nail on the head.
I would never EVER (EVER!) be able to set aside the time to do all this work if it weren't for your monthly support on Patreon. So thank you for making this video possible.
And I happen to know (via a friend with links in Timor) that many people in Timor-Leste will appreciate it, too.
If you would like to know more about this topic, I've put together a list of sources and reading material which I used in making this video - including an annotated script - you'll find them all in the video description once you click through to the Youtube link.
And yes, I do plan to make more videos like this - *cough* Visit West Papua* *cough* - in the not too distant future.
IN OTHER NEWS: Luca turned 1 yesterday! *fireworks emoji* (We are exhausted and ecstatic at the same time)
I'll catch you in November for our next video. Til then, we wish you all health, happiness and purpose.
Giordano & family/team
VIDEO LINKS:
Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqegTsi6SiE
Facebook video: https://www.facebook.com/thejuicemedia/videos/1932258636864119
Comments (28)
It's pretty fucked up that in 2001 I joined the NZ Army because I bought the propaganda around East-Timor, turned out I was pretty shit at being a solider, poor discipline and not a real team player seemed to be my worst faults. I was never deployed, am so glad I wasn't. Still to this day I'm a little embarrassed that I went thought all that shit with good intentions, only because I was a sucker. The people in the Army were pretty cool but the Govt is full of shit.
Hi Damian, so glad you weren't deployed to Timor! Also, welcome aboard - thanks for supporting our work :)
Hard-hitting. Says it all in plain language. I hope Witness K gets some kind of a fair trial. I doubt it. In this day and age it scares me that I am saying this. Things are supposed to get better, not worse. People who blow whistles and put humankind, the planet first should be raised up and thanked for their work not shot down in flames, made to live in exile or prison. It is sickening and scary, yet however it is right now, we need to pull together. Choose our actions with love not fear (where possible). Meet IRL and propose positive actions. Thank you so much for the video. I'm heartened I am able to support your art.
Sallita! Thanks for this great post. I couldn't agree more. And so glad you liked this HGA. I feel it was probably the best one I made in 2018, and one the one's I'm most proud of. It's really all thanks to the support I receive from Patrons like yourself - which allows me the time to get better at this medium!
See Dean Ashenden's article in Inside Story now about War Memorial - a topic asking to be satirised.
I agree!
A lot of my info on this over the past few years has been from John Pilger. He produced a solid documentary on Timor Leste in the 90s which is mentioned in this article. <a href="http://johnpilger.com/articles/the-universal-lesson-of-the-courage-of-east-timor" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://johnpilger.com/articles/the-universal-lesson-of-the-courage-of-east-timor</a>
Same here, Daniel! I first learned about Timor-Leste by reading John Pilger's book "Hidden Agendas" - I was 17!
phenomenal
cheers Milo!
Awesome - As usual!
Thank you - as usual! :)
Freaking great video! :) Had no idea of such history, but given all the shitty things I know of in our world, I'm (unfortunately) not really surprised...
Thanks Crocs! Yeah, its crazy how few of us know this history. That's why I've been wanting to make this video for ages!
Under John Howard...
Unfortunately several Aussie PMs share the responsibility for backstabbing Timor - from Whitlam to Keating, and Howard was just the most recent. Also it was under Gillard that Witness K's house was raided... so very much a bipartisan project!
Rotten, rotten,rotten - politicians and corporates. attorney@ag.gov.au. Email of the attorney general. Just when did the Aussie govt get so evil? 1
I agree this has to be one of the most shameful things our Government has done at least in terms of foreign policy
Great video, I might be wrong, but I was under the impression AU actually funded a warlord in Timor to pull do the duly elected democratic government, to help them get the gas rights???
Yikes, I didn't come across that story during my readings, but if you find a link to it pls lmk. I do know however that the Timorese Govt has to constantly be vigilant about a coup...
Well done for producing videos that get some truth across to the general public. It certainly isn’t something that any of our commercial, money making stations will ever do.
Cheers Daniel! It seems this type of content does cut through the bs and reach many more people - am so glad it's working!
I agree, with @HipCat. More money for you guys, because you are brutally honest and brilliant!
Thanks Jonathan! I honestly can't thank you all enough for making it possible for me to do this work!
I always wanted to but couldn’t. Soooo broke. It’s finally getting a bit less grim for me even as the worlds becomes a lot grimmer. Your work does good things and deserves support!
Thank you so much, it's hugely appreciated and I never take it for granted!
That was fucking depressing. I’m going to increase my monthly payment. You deserve to be supported because this Govt of self serving bum onions will one day be coming for you and you’ll need legal fees!
I'm sorry for the reason that you're increasing your support, but nevertheless very grateful! :)