E Brief #15 18 May 2007
Dear all
Parliament has sat again for the first time after the election. With 30 new MPs there is new enthusiasm and energy around Macquarie Street.
The Premier has named the Parliamentary Secretaries and their portfolios. I have been made the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Ian Macdonald.
My website continues to cause a few problems as we move to a new host and a new content management system, however we are now back online. Red Leather, my blog, is back, and I invite you to join the conversation. In the meantime the video that launched the site is going to be featured on an upcoming background briefing for Radio National on politics and the internet.
Regards
Penny
PS. I could not go past sharing the latest George W Bush joke that made it’s way to my email.
Parliament Update
This parliament has over 30 new members. Check out some of the inaugural speeches: Verity Firth, Nathan Rees, Robert Coombs, Phil Koperberg, Sonia Hornery and Andrew McDonald.
Two significant pieces of legislation were introduced: the Criminal Procedure (Vulnerable Persons) Bill and the Mental Health Bill.
I gave notice of two motions: one that calls on Cricket Australia to boycott games in Zimbabwe and one that condemns the Federal Government for their lack of commitment to young people.
I also gave an adjournment speech about the Jessie Street Trust and their recent project with Reconcilliation Australia that tells the stories of seven women who were instrumental 1967 referendum.
Government Announcements
Latest e-newsletter about Industrial Relations in NSW is now available.
Literacy standards for NSW students in Years 7 and 8 remain amongst the highest in the world. This year, Years 7 and 8 boys and girls have recorded their best ever results in literacy.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) Paul Lynch welcomed a NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) study into defendants at the Blacktown and Newcastle local courts.
Transport Minister John Watkins invited councils, community groups and transport operators to apply for $1.48 million in new grants for improve public transport facilities in country towns.
The Howard Government has handed down its 12th straight budget with no real funding increase for Government school students.
The Iemma Government will establish a high-level task force to help communities along the Murray Darling Basin cope with severe drought and zero water allocations.
Out and About
In the past fortnight I:
- visited the innovative Domestic Violence project in Taree and the Gender Centre in Petersham.
- spoke at the Port Stephens Council Building Child Friendly Communities Seminar on behalf of the Joint Committee on Children and Young People and
- hosted a forum at Parliament house on women’s rights (in particular the lack thereof) in Iran.
- attended the Annual Women’s Electoral Lobby Edna Ryan Awards. The Ednas give recognition to the fantastic work that is being done by women in our communities.
Take Action
- Get involved in the Make Poverty History campaign.
- Find out the truth about AWA’s and the Mining Industry.
- Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, Sunday 27 May 3.30 at the Polish Club in Ashfield. For other events check out Reconciliation Australia.
Quote of the Week
"God Hates Fags & Fag Enablers! Ergo, God hates Jerry Falwell..."
— The bizarrely extremist Westboro Baptist Church, who announced plans to picket the funeral of homophobic US preacher Jerry Falwell. [via Pandagon] Falwell's history of anti-gay speech might be best remembered for his fixation with Tinky Winky—the Teletubby who he accused of encouraging homosexuality.
"The character, whose voice is obviously that of a boy, has been found carrying a red purse in many episodes and has become a favorite character among gay groups worldwide."
Dear all
Parliament has sat again for the first time after the election. With 30 new MPs there is new enthusiasm and energy around Macquarie Street.
The Premier has named the Parliamentary Secretaries and their portfolios. I have been made the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Ian Macdonald.
My website continues to cause a few problems as we move to a new host and a new content management system, however we are now back online. Red Leather, my blog, is back, and I invite you to join the conversation. In the meantime the video that launched the site is going to be featured on an upcoming background briefing for Radio National on politics and the internet.
Regards
Penny
PS. I could not go past sharing the latest George W Bush joke that made it’s way to my email.
Parliament Update
This parliament has over 30 new members. Check out some of the inaugural speeches: Verity Firth, Nathan Rees, Robert Coombs, Phil Koperberg, Sonia Hornery and Andrew McDonald.
Two significant pieces of legislation were introduced: the Criminal Procedure (Vulnerable Persons) Bill and the Mental Health Bill.
I gave notice of two motions: one that calls on Cricket Australia to boycott games in Zimbabwe and one that condemns the Federal Government for their lack of commitment to young people.
I also gave an adjournment speech about the Jessie Street Trust and their recent project with Reconcilliation Australia that tells the stories of seven women who were instrumental 1967 referendum.
Government Announcements
Latest e-newsletter about Industrial Relations in NSW is now available.
Literacy standards for NSW students in Years 7 and 8 remain amongst the highest in the world. This year, Years 7 and 8 boys and girls have recorded their best ever results in literacy.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) Paul Lynch welcomed a NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) study into defendants at the Blacktown and Newcastle local courts.
Transport Minister John Watkins invited councils, community groups and transport operators to apply for $1.48 million in new grants for improve public transport facilities in country towns.
The Howard Government has handed down its 12th straight budget with no real funding increase for Government school students.
The Iemma Government will establish a high-level task force to help communities along the Murray Darling Basin cope with severe drought and zero water allocations.
Out and About
In the past fortnight I:
- visited the innovative Domestic Violence project in Taree and the Gender Centre in Petersham.
- spoke at the Port Stephens Council Building Child Friendly Communities Seminar on behalf of the Joint Committee on Children and Young People and
- hosted a forum at Parliament house on women’s rights (in particular the lack thereof) in Iran.
- attended the Annual Women’s Electoral Lobby Edna Ryan Awards. The Ednas give recognition to the fantastic work that is being done by women in our communities.
Take Action
- Get involved in the Make Poverty History campaign.
- Find out the truth about AWA’s and the Mining Industry.
- Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, Sunday 27 May 3.30 at the Polish Club in Ashfield. For other events check out Reconciliation Australia.
Quote of the Week
"God Hates Fags & Fag Enablers! Ergo, God hates Jerry Falwell..."
— The bizarrely extremist Westboro Baptist Church, who announced plans to picket the funeral of homophobic US preacher Jerry Falwell. [via Pandagon] Falwell's history of anti-gay speech might be best remembered for his fixation with Tinky Winky—the Teletubby who he accused of encouraging homosexuality.
"The character, whose voice is obviously that of a boy, has been found carrying a red purse in many episodes and has become a favorite character among gay groups worldwide."