Gem+News


 * ﻿G﻿em N﻿ews **

With power stations, homes and business all to be created, the question needs to be asked - who will pay for all of this infrastructure?
=== Task Command has established that the United Nations will supply funds to an extent to assist with the establishment of these six settlements, however the options need to sustainable and the monetary assistance will not be ongoing. === === There are so many questions to answer regarding how all these projects will be funded and what the economic future holds for Gem Island.The settlements need to look at how they will make money and run their economy. What is their produce worth to other markets in terms of trade? How much tax will people pay, if any? ===

=== ' We appreciate and are aware of people's concerns and issues regarding the economy and we are working closely with the United Nations to ensure that we are making sustainable options to ensure we receive maximum funding as well as secure the Islands future. We are actively investigated options regarding tax, goods and services and how and who will be accountable for the economy on Gem Island. We will inform you when more information and decisions have been made.' ===

=== The people of Gem Island will be looking for economic security for now and in the future and in order to encourage people to settle on the Island they will need assurances from economists and government that their futures are secure. ===

Lisa Burke, journalist. Gem Local News. August 11th 2012.
=== The economy of Gem Island is still unstable as communities are still establishing trade options, however signs are promising with the port settlement establishing strong trade connections. We still have financial support from the UN which is assisting with growth around the Island, providing jobs and infrastrucuture to further establish settlements. === === The test will come in the next twelve months, when UN assistance starts to decrease, as the Island tries to become more independent and financially secure. The vibe amongst settlements is positive, but some settlements are clearly worried and anxious about the economic stability down the track for their settlement. It appears that the people are looking for reassurances about what their future holds. Yet no one is able to provide this, due to lack of leadership amongst the Island and invidual settlements. Who will step up? Who is going to be accountable if Gem Island cannot be sustainable and financially secure? ===

Lisa Burke, journalist. Gem Local News. August 11th 2013.
=== **The port settlement is experiencing rapid growth and success with cash flow building due to local and international trade. The 'vibe' of the settlement is very positive with everyone upbeat and new infrastrucure now being built to ensure that the Port will be the hub on the Island. Local residents say the fantastic vibe, is due to great quality of life, people are outdoors, exploring the local fauna and flora, there's less pollution due the sustainability of choices made earlier with the use of the flying fox for travel, rather than cars, so everyone's overall wellbeing is better than it was when they first arrived on the Island. There is also plenty of money for everyone, ensuring that financial stress is not an issue.** === === Let's hope this postive vibe and success extends to other settlements soon, as there are rumours that other settlements are being left out in the cold and struggling to provide adequate services to their communities, as they do not have the same opportunities for trade as the port settlement. ===

Lisa Burke, journalist. Gem Local News. August 12th 2014.
=== The growing civil unrest in the other settlements is heading towards catastrophic consequences, we don't want to repeat the history of the London Riots of 2011. When arriving at this Island values of peace, equal opportunity were the things talked about, what has happened to this? === === The Port settlement is flourishing, with the best resources in terms of health, education and opportunity, while other settlements struggle to offer adequate health services. The gap needs to be bridged between the settlements as soon as possible. This however requires some decision making by someone, but who?The people are also looking for leadership in times of unrest, yet there is none to be found. This is why we need a government to ensure that decisions are being made to address inequalities that exist between settlements and that there is leadership in times of uncertainty. ===

=== **The UN has strongly encouraged that some form of government be implemented to help address these issues and reminded settlements that their funding period is nearly over and that it is imperative that the settlements on the Island be working together to ensure the sustainability and future of Gem Island.** The head of the United Nations President Joseph Deiss released this statement: ===

=== **' The United Nations has been watching the unrest of settlements closely and is very concerned about the level of aggressive behaviour being reported. We strongly encourage everyone in the settlements to remember the foundations that this Island was built upon - sustainability, equality and peace. The United Nations recommend that the settlements work together to establish a form of government to address these issues, we will of course provide assistance if required.** === === **We also want to take this opportunity to remind settlements that the period for funding from us is almost over and that it's of vital importance that issues are resolved and that the Island works together to ensure the future of the Island. If tensions continue to rise, we will not be afraid to implement sanctions until issues are addressed.'** ===

=== A powerful message from President Deiss. We all need to remember why it is we are here and what the values of the Island are and try to reach a consensus and how we can best address the issues that have led to this unrest. Surely the answer is a government. ===

Lisa Burke, journalist. Gem Local News. August 30th 2014.
=== ﻿Following the statement from President Deiss it has been decided to form an Interim Government to begin returning order and stability to Gem Island. Acting Prime Minister Thea has called for calm, assuring people that democratic elections will take place as soon as possible, but the main priority is restoring order and calm amongst the settlements and provide the support to regional setttlements. === === This appears to be effective, with settlements now calming down. However there is still a lot of anxiety and a demand for answers as to how settlements will be looked after to ensure their future. Until this is done it looks like tension and anxiety will be present for awhile. However Prime Minister Thea appears to be assembling teams to help address the inadequacies that exist and we all hope this helps to provide stability and assurances to the communities. Time will tell. ===

Lisa Burke, journalist. Gem Local News. September 1st 2014.

 * Gem Island is on the brink of a banana crisis, with the economic future of the entire island thrown into chaos. Banana Buchy Top Virus, is a very serious disease, with no known cure. Acting Prime Minister Thea has been scrambling with her members of parliament to try and contain the virus, while trying to reassure the people of Gem Island that the economic future of the Island is sound. How will this virus be stopped? What does it mean for the Islands future and jobs? Recent figures by economists inidcate that the spread of the virus could be catastrophic, with over $100,000 lost for just one settlement. **
 * Recent events of settlement unrest are now set to continue with communities anxious about what the future holds and wondering if their settlements will ever improve if this banana virus continues to spread. Local resident Ben, summed up the concerns from residents: **
 * 'It really is a worrying time, with inadequacies already existing between settlements, UN funding running out and now a banana crisis that will effect the Island well into the future. Our economy will be severely effected if it continues to spread and people are panicking, wondering what the future holds and why we didn't think and act more regarding different trade options. Focusing most of our trade on bananas and other fruits has left us vulnerable .' **
 * Acting Prime Minister Thea has a lot on her hands and it appears she has a long way to go in terms of reassuring her constituents about their future. **