In the last fortnight:
- North Korea has decided that testing a nuclear bomb is a sensible thing to do. If ever you needed proof about why Australia should not be pursuing additional uranium mining, export or power perhaps now is the time to reconsider
- The 20,000 ordinary members of the Labor Party have supported the election of two progressive (and anti uranium members) to become the President of the Party, John Faulkner and Linda Burney.
- The Upper House debated the impact of the workchoices legislation. If you really want to know what the Coalition think of workers and their unions read here.
- Legislation was passed to improve the way that domestic violence is dealt with in NSW. The Attorney General, Bob Debus is due to bring in more legislation next week that will focus on victims of sexual assault.
- The Premier gave the annual Light on the Hill Speech in Bathurst.
- After strong community support for the MUA's Hungry Mile campaign, the Government has announced that Hickson Road will be renamed the Hungry Mile.
Regards
Penny
NSW Labor in Action
- The Minister for Education has the facts on Labor's commitment to public education.
- The Minister for Industrial Relations stood up for the rights of foreign 'guest workers' not to be exploited by 'Section 457' visas.
- The Euston-Robinvale rail bridge was opened, improving freight between NSW and Victoria.
- Carmel Tebbutt announced a springtime maintenance and capital works programme for schools.
- There will be a $1 million boost to increase vouchers for dentures.
Coalition Corner
- Peter Debnam plans to privatise public housing, leaving up to 30,000 needy people homeless.
- Deputy Opposition Leader Andrew Stoner plans to abolish the very successful NSW Bicycle Patrol.
- The NSW National Party can't stand up to Canberra.
- The Nationals are also fighting a losing battle for relevance in rural NSW.
- The Opposition have a $25 billion 'grab-bag' of unfunded promises.
Committees in October
Upcoming Hearings
- Budget Estimates.
- Unfair terms in consumer contracts, 20 October.
- Impacts of the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006 (Cth), 23 October.
Inquiries Receiving Submissions
- Inquiry into Unfair terms in consumer contracts, closes 11 October.
- Inquiry into Impacts of the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006 (Cth), closes 20 October.
- Inquiry into Operations of the Home Building Service, closes 8 November.
Events and Take Action
Clean Start- Fair Deal for Cleaners Protest
Tuesday October 17th
3:45pm Hyde Park North- Archibald Fountain
Cleaners are asking for your support, so they can get fair pay and
decent working conditions.
For more information contact the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU).
The proposed Smart Card - just how smart is it?
Find out at our public forum
When: 6.30pm, Thursday 9th November 2006
Where: PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal, Level 10, Darling Park Tower 2,
201 Sussex Street, Sydney.
RSVP Essential: Carol Berry (02) 8898 6523
Speakers include:
- Kelvin Thomson MP, Shadow Minister for Human Services
- Professor Graham Greenleaf, Centre for Cyberspace Law and Policy, UNSW
- Michael Raper, Director, Welfare Rights Centre
- Anna Johnston, Chair, Australian Privacy Foundation
- Chair: Robin Banks, CEO, Public Interest Advocacy Centre
Tea, coffee and refreshments will be available
Quote of the Week
The Labor Party is really concerned about WorkChoices, because that has an adverse effect on the jobs of the greatest bunch of leeches in Australia: the unions.
The Hon Greg Pearce MLC during debate about workchoices.