E-Brief #38

Ebrief #38

The last two weeks have been dominated by parliament sitting and the debate surrounding electricity privatisation. I have provided an update to this weeks events on privatisation on my blog.

The government also made a number of other announcements including:

• An update on the increase in DOCS caseworkers
• An update on the increase in mental health beds
• A report on health initiatives for NSW in the federal budget
• A report on disability initiatives for NSW in the federal budget
• Workplace rights for young people
• Public Education Week

Only one video this week: Facebook - the reality but also check out a recent online forum about tools for social activism.

Technical hitches have plagued this weeks ebrief. The next ebrief will be on 6 June and will include all the information on the government's budget.

Regards

Penny

PS Congratulations to all the inspiring women who were nominated and received a WEL Edna Ryan award, especially Karen Willis from the NSW Rape Crisis Centre who won the grand stirrer award.

Legislation

The Government has introduced legislation that:

• Provides a new offence for rock throwing
• Reforms 57 acts to remove discrimination against same sex couples, importantly the legislation will provide legal recognition of lesbian parents.
• Makes changes to how Justices of the Peace are appointed
• Will guarantee gas supply to NSW residents
• Establishes how zoning plans and reviews can be conducted within NSW's Marine Parks
• Places environmentally sustainable principles into Mining Legislation
• Will assist to advance clean coal techonolgy in NSW
• Extends the Snowy Mountains Cloud Seeding Trial

Labor in Government

• Premier Morris Iemma welcomed the Federal Budget, with $25 million in commitments to Sydney infrastructure, and announced plans to make the NSW Government carbon-neutral by 2020.
• John Hatzistergos, Attorney-General, and announced new legislation to stop vexatious litigants, legislation to punish highway rock-throwers.
• Minister for Volunteering Linda Burney launched 2008 Volunteers Week.
• State Development Minister Tony Kelly will showcase wines and foods from the NW-New England region of NSW in Parliament.
• Community Services Minister Kevin Greene thanked foster mums on Mothers' Day, congratulated UnitingCare Burnside on their 15 year anniversary, announced moves to outlaw dangerous body 'art' such as branding, and encouraged more parents to use the 24/7 Parents Hotline (13 20 15).
• Transport Minister John Watkins welcomed the increase in PrePay ticket sales, announced $45 million in new funding for country rail infrastructure, outlined the ongoing purchase of digital radios for trains, and announced fare reductions for seniors, students and apprentices.
• Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal announced the first steps towards a cashless Harbour Bridge.
• Health Minister Reba Meagher announced a $5 million campaign to boost the health workforce, welcomed landmark legislation to deal with medical malpractice and visited schools, with stars from the Sydney Swans, to spread the anti-smoking message.
• Minister for Medical Research Verity Firth welcomed the chance for NSW to attract more business through clinical trials.
• Minister for Youth Linda Burney declared Youth Week 2008 a success.
• Police Minister David Campbell announced the creation of a specialist Domestic and Family Violence Unit, welcomed the arrest of 500 suspected sex offenders and announced the creation of a 37-member unit to deal with unsolved murders.
• Ian Macdonald, Minister for Primary Industries, announced that more than half of NSW was drought-declared, welcomed the arrest of five abalone poachers, and encouraged people to attend a showcase for the 2008 Young Farmers of the Year.
• Minister for the Environment Verity Firth called for whale-watching tour operators to abide by the strict rules set down for the industry.
• Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney said that the Opposition was scaremongering over Beechowood and encouragd operators to apply for grants to provide financial counselling.

Committees wanting to hear from you

Upcoming Hearings

• Natural Resource Management (Climate Change) (Fri 16).
• Young Driver Safety and Education Programs, Public Hearing (Tue 27).

Inquiries Receiving Submissions

• Inquiry into Emissions Trading Schemes, closes 23 May.
• Inquiry into Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage, closes 30 May.
• Inquiry into The management and operations of the NSW Ambulance Service, closes 25 June.

Blog of the week

What happened with electricity privatisation this week?

How NSW ensures continued energy supplies into the future is at the heart of the electricity debate. Who is best (public or private or a combination of both) to provide the energy? Who should pay? What are the costs to the government with any given option? Are there environmental implications to any option that is chosen? How are workers and consumers protected? read more

Take Action

Fabians

The arts are constantly hit with claims of elitism by sports-loving NSW - yet more people go to the state's cultural institutions each year than attend its football matches. Is it time to rethink arts funding, and form a new perspective on cultural industries?

When: 6.00 for 6.30pm, Wednesday 21 May 2008.
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art 140 George Street, The Rocks.
Cost: Non-Fabians $10. Members are free - please show your membership card to obtain free entry.
Contact: Bookings essential - Book at nswfabiansociety [at] gmail [dot] com or on mobile 0400 188 815.

Burma

I am involved in a group called the Australian Coalition for Democracy In Burma. The ACDB has been watching with horror the humanitarian catastrophy of Cyclone Nargis and the inability and unwillingness of the military junta to save their own people. It is now estimated that 2.5million people are severely affected by the cyclone. While the country has been devastated by the cyclone, the ruling Generals went forward with the illegitimate referendum to entrench their own power and further isolate the democratically elected leader Daw An San Suu Kyi.

There are a number of things you can do:

Hear some great bands and raise funds for Burma this Monday night at the Basement

Support Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA's Burma Cyclone Relief Appeal.