Jailing of Pauline Hanson inspired Ann Massey's New Book

Q.  Why after writing about treachery on the International Space Station have you written a book about contemporary Australian politics?

After I published The Biocide Conspiracy I wanted to write a book about a shameful incident in Australian politics. Love her or loathe her there is no getting away from the fact that the plot to break Pauline Hanson was worthy of Francis Underwood of House of Cards at his most machivellian. 

To put  those not familiar with Australian politics in the nineties in the picture-- a politically naive fish and chip shop operator cum politician from Queensland was threatening the Liberal Party's chances at the forthcoming Federal Election.  Her party, One Nation was perceived as a threat by the major parties.  And come hell or high water the powers-that- be were out to get her.  And they did. Pauline Hanson was convicted of electoral fraud and sentenced to nine years in jail.
After serving three months she was released, the sentence quashed and  her name cleared. And yet instead of being viewed as a victim of a terrible injustice, Pauline Hanson who conducted herself with dignity and heroism throughout her ordeal  is perceived by many as a figure of fun.

It has always amazed me that there wasn't a backlash against those who conspired to remove Ms Hanson from the political stage. I put it down to the prevailing  belief that politics is the province of the well-educated.  The inference was clear--  if you don't have a degree you  don't have a right to voice an opinion. It got up my nose.  I translated MPs and journalists' contempt  for Ms Hanson as an indication that ordinary people do not rate.  Salvation Jane was written to draw attention to a disgraceful episode in Australian politics, to thumb my nose at elitist condscension, and to applaud those willing to have a go. It will be available as a paperback and ebook from 1st July.

5 Stars for The Biocide Conspiracy

5.0 out of 5 stars The Biocide Conspiracy, May 24, 2013

By 

E M Bahnsen - See all my reviews

Amazon Review 

This review is from: The Biocide Conspiracy (Kindle Edition)

Absolutely lovely-and-suspenseful story of two teens outwitting the adults and, thus, having to save the world!

As an American reader, I appreciated and enjoyed the classical and traditional style of British writing (which I learned as a teen student was the correct and proper way) along with the incorporation of local and natural dialect from the diverse characters.

Wonderfully written character development and story arc. Perfect for adults as well as teens. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Toxic Gas: an essential weapon in the eradication of pests

My partner's early life was spent on a farm in Australia's Snowy Mountains where the battle to eradicate rabbits was carried out using the same toxic gas mixture used in the trenches in World War 1. The mere killing of rabits was not the aim, there was a need to permanently effect the species, to permanently affect populations in sufficient numbers to cause permanent decline. Rabbits need homes to breed and survive predators, and so fumigation of rabbit warrens was carried out.  A toxic gas mixture was blown throughout the warren system (pressure fumigation). 

Both my partner and his father were frequently overcome by fumes and were fortunate not to have died. It should be noted that fumigants are dangerous to both the aggressor and the victim. 

Ann Massey

Plants light up on the International Space Station.

Advanced biological research on board the International Space Station may tell us how well plants will adapt to the challenges of climate change. Plants are often seen as passive passengers on the earth’s surface - And yet they were instrumental in creating the eco system.  Without vegetation the Earth would be returned to the era when water flooded over Earth’s landmasses.  

Thale Cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) which has been grown in an experimental chamber on board the space station was genetically modified to give off an eerie green glow under stress. This is not a mere novelty. The glow has a serious purpose. Plants were subjected to extremes of pressure, temperature and drought, (some extremes can only be found in space). By watching parts of the plant light up scientists were able to track cellular changes.

Reassuringly Thale Cress has shown it can adapt to the space environment. Which begs the question: did the seeds of plant life arrive on Earth from space?

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Biocide Conspiracy in Syria

Conflicting reports from Syria accuse both the government and rebels of using the illicit chemical agent Sarin. Why all the uproar? What is Sarin? 

I am not a scientist or involved in the military, but I accumulated a lot of knowledge about chemical warfare when I researched my novel, The Biocide Conspiracy. Sarin, the nerve agent that both the rebel and government forces are alleged to have used in Syria is one of the agents I considered, but then discounted in favour of botulinum toxin when I was developing the plot.

Sarin  is a nerve gas that was developed by the Germans in 1930, ostensibly for use as a pesticide. Designated an illicit chemical weapon it is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993. But that doesn't mean much to rebel nations and terrorist organizations - Sarin was the agent used in the terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway system in 1994.

From a military standpoint Sarin is an effective weapon for the following reasons:

• Dispersal - aerosol is considered to be the most efficient method of dispersal for a large scale chemical attack. Colourless and odourless, the nerve gas, Sarin is ideal for aerosolized dispertion. Pressurized spray tanks fitted to fixed wing aircraft is an inexpensive way of delivering the killing agent to the enemy.

• Projections of fatalities vary according to the weather, but under appropriate meterological conditions, and with an aerosol generator delivering 1-10 micron particle-size droplets, a single aircraft could disperse 100kg of the nerve gas over a 300km squared area - with dissemination efficiencies of 90% and an estimated 3.5 million fatalities.

•  Symptoms appear within moments of exposure, followed by a complete loss of muscle control and, ultimately, death.

• The infection of  a large percentage of the population would cause massive disruption to the enemy's economic, social and political institutions.

• Sarin breaks down quickly, allowing an invading force to occupy the area without risk.

I researched bacteriological warfare for my novel, The Biocide Conspiracy  and fear that  what is allegedly occuring in Syria is the start of a terrifying phase in warfare. 

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NASA Fined For Littering the Environment

 

In the early hours of the 12th of July, 1979, Skylab crashed in Western Australia, scattering debris across the desert, and  the eastern goldfields.

The San Francisco Examiner offered $10,000 US Dollars for the first piece of debris brought to its offices. A teenager from Esperance delivered his find to the newspaper, and claimed the prizemoney.

In a bizarre twist the Shire of Esperance fined the US $400 for littering. The government didn't pay up but a radio show host  raised the money from listeners and paid the fine for NASA. The incident inspired me to write The Biocide Conspiracy.

In the novel, the International Space Station crashes on a remote sheep station on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, not unlike Minilya where I was governess to three sisters, Jane, Emily and Catherine.

Australia is a huge continent and home to some of the most geographically and remote communities in the world. School of the Air is one of the means by which children in remote communities can access school. 

Like my former pupils, Beth, one of the teenagers who finds the minus eighty degree freezer from the International Space Station, is home-schooled. 

The time I spent working in the outback was an eye- opener, as it was for Mo, the apprentice  jackeroo who witnessed the station's fiery descent. 

                                                     Minilya





  Emily and Catherine - my former pupils.

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Number 1 in its genre

I'd like to thank you all for your downloads. On day 2 of my promotion, The Biocide Conspiracy is officially ranked number one: #1 in its genre:#1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Romance > Futuristic & Science Fiction

Gratefully,
AnnMassey