E-Brief #17: 15 June 2007
Introduction
In the past fortnight the tension between religion and representation was brought to a head in relation to the stem cell debate – you would be aware that ultimately the Legislative Assembly passed the legislation easily 65 – 26.
Expect a much bigger debate with a much closer result in the Legislative Council in coming weeks. I will be supporting the legislation.
I am now the Duty MLC for the state seats of Sydney, Bega and Willoughby. I look forward to visiting all of these seats during the parliamentary break.
Regards
Penny
PS Helen Westwood MLC gave another excellent Labor inaugural speech.
In the House
- The Mental Health Bill passed through the Upper House.
- Debate on the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Bill that provides a legal basis for a two year trial of short term involuntary care and treatment for adults began.
- The Government announced the continuation of the trial of the Sydney Medically Supervised Injection Centre.
- I gave an adjournment speech about the 30th anniversary of the Castlecrag branch of the Labor Party and in particular the contribution made by Neville Millston.
On the Blog
PUSH IT FOR PAID MATERNITY LEAVE
Today I joined hundreds of women in Martin Place at a rally organised by Marie Claire magazine to demand that all Australian women get access to paid maternity leave.
NSW Minister for Women Verity Firth gave an excellent speech about why paid maternity leave is so important. Here are some photos.
Government Action
- The Premier announced emergency disaster relief centres for the Hunter and Central Coast, while the State and Federal Governments have announced an emergency assistance package for the Hunter region.
- NSW Premier Morris Iemma announced two new multi-million dollar clean coal initiatives on the State's Central Coast and Hunter Valley, and 50 additional Reading Recovery teachers in 2007-08 to help Year 1 students to improve their literacy skills.
- Minister for Transport John Watkins proposed nine new pre-pay only bus routes, unveiled the preferred North-West Rail Link Route, and announced that the Iemma Government’s 2007/08 Budget would deliver further clean, green public transport initiatives. State Transit has carried one million additional passengers so far this year as compared to the same period last year.
- Excessive sounding car alarms, noisy motor vehicles and playing loud music late on weeknights will all be curbed under proposed changes to the NSW Noise Control Regulation.
- There are 18 major capital works projects planned or underway throughout the State to provide better mental health services.
- There has been a $1 million boost in funding to expand a sports program for people with a disability across the state.
- Labor will introduce legislation to parliament this week which will promote greater public confidence in our legal system by appointing community members to sit on judicial misconduct panels.
- The Iemma Government is investing record amounts in financial counselling services to help vulnerable people, and supporting families in need with early intervention caseworkers.
- A report by the University of Melbourne shows students who undertake vocational education and training courses in NSW have advantages in the job market.
- Consumers will have greater protection when purchasing funerals.
- The Iemma Government will introduce new support networks to improve support and services for children and young people with a disability, their parents and siblings.
- Following nearly ten months of assessment, including public,consultation, hearings and an independent panel report, a new mine at Anvil Hill was approved.
Take Action and Events
Support the NSW Cancer Council's campaign to Pull the plug on television junk food advertisement to children.
During Refugee week visit the Darfur Calling photographic exhibition, at Customs House in Sydney. If you are not in Sydney you can sign the online petition urging the Australian Government to add weight to international calls to deploy a peacekeeping force in the region.
Join the campaign for equal parenting rights and write to the Attorney-General, John Hatzistergos, to have parents in gay and lesbian relationships recognised in NSW law.
- Linda Burney MP and the Marrickville Branch of the ALP will host a forum on volunteering in our community.
- National Democracy forum has a new editor: Allison Orr. The site contains a wealth of information on e-democracy.
- Come and see what Parliament does and how it works at A Little Night Sitting.
Quote of the Fortnight
Collective bargaining offers small businesses the ability to negotiate on a more equal footing with bigger businesses.
Collective bargaining saves small businesses money as they can pool their resources to negotiate with big business. Small businesses that have already expressed strong interest include farmers, motor traders, independent petrol station owners, newsagents and hoteliers.
—— With breathtaking hypocrisy Fran Bailey, Commonwealth Minister for Tourism and Industry, ran a series of advertisements this week promoting collective bargaining—OK for business, not OK for workers.