Ebrief #43

As we slip into the Olympics and wonder the why it seems like yesterday that they were in Sydney there are a number of issues being tackled by the Government:

• In a win for public health, the Premier has announced more restrictions on smoking and tobacco products - there are special measures to protect children from tobacco.
• A plan to make granny flats easier to build in Sydney will make a difference to the type of housing available across Sydney.
• The Committee on Law and Justice is reviewing the laws in relation to altruistic surrogacy.

Video of the week: McCain's Britney Spears Ad Against Obama and Paris Hilton's response.

Regards

Penny

Also check out the Young People at Work website. For all you need to know about your rights as a young worker in NSW. If you are a parent, the DoC's website has a whole range of resources for parents that are evidence based and can help you through the myriad of advice on what kids need.

Government in Action

• The Premier told a key summit that the NSW Government will step up its efforts to promote Sydney as the leading financial services hub in the Asia-Pacific.
• The Attorney General also announced the appointments of solicitors Stephen Corry and Susan McIntyre to the bench of the NSW Local Court.
• The new 14 day ‘Pay Day' ticket available at more than 190 CityRail stations was a hit with passegners.
• The State and Federal Governments jointly opened a $30 million upgrade to the F5 freeway in Sydney's southwest.
• The Minister for Tourism responded to the impact of high petrol prices on regional tourism.
• The Acting Minister for Mineral Resources announced the first in a series of legislative changes which will improve the environmental requirements of mining in NSW had come into force.
• The Minister for Primary Industries said the Opposition was running a fear campaign about the NSW Department of Primary Industries workforce.
• A schools education program designed to better educate young people about primary industries production in NSW was launched in Sydney.
• The Minister for Energy announced that the Government would fund a study for the rollout of a $60 million natural gas supply project to towns including Gilgandra and Mudgee.
• The Minister for Primary Industries announced that Taronga Western Plains Zoo has become the new home to a healthy population of more than 100 rare native fish, the purple-spotted gudgeon.
• A new report was launched featuring a comprehensive survey of Australia's organic industry that will help promote market opportunities for NSW producers.
• The Attorney General announced special new surveillance powers had been given to NSW Police to aide its investigations into terrorist organisations and organised crime groups.
• The Minister for Juvenile Justice announced that a new juvenile justice centre will open this month in Emu Plains.
• The Minister for Fair Trading recommended consumer caution in relation to new smart phone technology.
• The Deputy Premier explained why the north-west metro is an international transport solution for an international city (SMH external link).
• The Minister for Health released the First Report from the Special Commission of Inquiry into Acute Care Services in NSW Public Hospitals.
• The Minister for Fair Trading welcomed the sale of Beechwood Homes.
• The Minister for Transport John Watkins announced consultation would begin on an updated bus network for the Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai, Epping, Willoughby and Ryde areas.
• The Minister for Primary Industries said that NSW has had another bumper fish stocking season with around 6.4 million fish released into the State's waterways.
• New figures released by the Transport Data Centre showed that Sydney is meeting State Plan targets for public transport patronage growth.

Duty Electorates

• The Government announced that grants were open to people in Sydney and Willoughby for the Better Boating program.
• New overhead flashing lights were installed on Cleveland Street to further improve student safety.
• Nominations are now open for the "Bluey" Rodwell Award to be presented at the 2008 County Labor Conference in Port Macquarie. The Award recognises a Country Labor Member who has performed meritorious service to Country Labor. Nominations must be from Party Units or Affiliated Unions, and be on the official form that can be obtains from Elizabeth Scully on (02) 9207 2000 or email elizabth@nswalp.com. Nominations close 17 October.   

Committees Wanting to hear from you

• Inquiry into legislation on altruistic surrogacy in NSW, submissions close 26 September
• Inquiry into Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage, closes 15 August.
• Inquiry into Protection of public sector whistleblower employees, closes 27 August.
• Inquiry into the Development of Arts and Cultural Infrastructure Outside the Sydney CBD, closes 29 August.
• Inquiry into The Program of Appliances for Disabled People (PADP), closes 3 September.
• Inquiry into New South Wales planning framework, closes 12 December.

Take Action

• Nominate an individual or an organisation for HREOC's 2008 Human Rights Medals and Awards.
• Get a group of friends together for UNIFEM's spring walks and raise money to support women and children around the world.

Quote of the week

Some can remember when life was simple, farmers were able to make a living, many suffered in the depression but it was a message, to save (when you could). It was tickets for flour, food, butter, etc. No cash in the hand like today, which makes it easy to buy your drugs, put in together to rent a house near the water to surf all day. It was good and is good for some.

But pornography, drugs, X rated films, homosexuality, lesbianism etc, have become legal. That which God called an abomination have the same rights as Heterosexual people.

- Elaine Nile hankering for a parallel universe in "Elaine's Perspective", Family World News, vol 15, 8 August 2008.