E-Brief #30

E-Brief #30

This is the last ebrief of 2007. I hope that you have found this a useful and informative place to find out about the goings on in and around NSW. All comments, criticisms, suggestions are welcome.

As we head into the holiday season:

• In 2008 NSW will have new funky, pokie free bars courtesy of the changes to the Liquor Act. Congratulations to all those who campaigned for the changes, in particular Raise the Bar who deserve special mention for the use of technology and one of the best campaigns that have come into my office all year.
• The latest progress report on the State Plan is in. For a summary check out the performance dashboard.
• The Government has responded to the Owen Inquiry by moving to sell the electricity retailers and lease the electrical generators in NSW. Significant concerns have been raised by Labor, community, union and environmental groups.

As I get used to the phrase Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, the final results for the election are in. Labor in NSW achieved a 7.4% swing higher than the national average of 5.8%-this translated to a gain of 7 seats.

In addition to those I congratulated last week congratulations also to Bob Debus, Doug Cameron, Mike Kelly, Greg Combet, Jennie George, Daryl Melham, Julie Owen, Sharon Grierson, Laurie Ferguson and of course Maxine McKew. Special acknowledgement to Paul Sekfy and Mark Buttiegieg who fought the hard fight and gained well deserved swings in Coalition held seats.

I would finally like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones the best for the season. I intend to spend some time during the holidays indulging in some serious crime novels. With this in mind I leave you with this Christmas card substitute.

Regards

Penny

Committees Wanting To Hear From You

• Electoral and Political Party Funding.
• Natural Resource Management (Climate Change).
• Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage.
• State Plan Reporting.

Government Action

• The Premier, Morris Iemma, announced $78 million in new funding to tackle excessive water consumption and energy use.
• Acting Transport Minister Verity Firth said that the Opposition's bus policy was lifted straight from Google.
• Energy Minister Ian Macdonald spoke in favour of mandatory renewable energy targets (MRETs) while touring a solar energy manufacturing plant in Sydney's Inner West.
• Verity Firth, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change Environment and Water, released the Threatened and pest animals of Greater Southern Sydney Report.
• Housing Minister Matt Brown announced open tenders for new affordable housing projects across NSW, and invited the public to apply for grants to support local environmental sustainability and community spirit.
• Minister for Science and Medical Research Verity Firth announced a parliamentary inquiry into nanotech research.
• Minister for Roads, Eric Roozendaal, launched a major summer anti-speeding campaign and gave details on the Iron Cove bridge section of the Government's Victoria Road upgrade.
• The Transition to Work program is providing people with a disability with the support they need to increase their participation in the community, said Disability Services Minister Kristina Keneally.
• Transport Minister John Watkins provided Parliament with details about the T-Card project, and released figures showing that rail infrastructure funding in NSW is at its highest level in 60 years.
• Health Minister Reba Meagher announced the beginning of construction on St. Vincent's new Integrated Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol Unit, and warned people to be safe over the holidays, traditionally the busiest time of year for hospital emergency departments.
• I announced three State Government grants to upgrade boating facilities in the Bega electorate.

Take Action

• "Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made, and can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings." Nelson Mandela
  Check out Make Poverty History and join the campaign.
• Come and discuss the Privatisation of NSW Electricity. A special meeting for Labor Party members 6.30pm Tuesday 18 December, Tom Mann Theatre (opposite Prince Alfred Pool), Chalmers St Sydney.
• Support the Rev Bill Crews Exodus Foundation Christmas Appeal.
• Buy a bottle of the CFMEU's limited edition Howard's End red wine, signed either by Maxine McKew or Julia Gillard.

Quote of the Year

Tony Abbott:

...he said that he had demonstrated "reasonably good people skills" and that he could "give a knock and take a knock".