Ebrief #47

As the clock ticks down to the US election, I find myself checking out every report, blog and you tube video to find out the latest - yes I have viewed the entire Obama video. This is the first time I have paid so much attention. Why? A combination of being a political tragic, a desire to see political progressives win and the reality that our world is so interlinked that the outcome matters to all of us. Go Obama!

Closer to home, the Government is working hard on the mini budget - it is going to be tough. At the same time there are a number of significant announcements that have received little media attention but are definitely worth celebrating:

• in a win for our kids under 2, the government will be mandating a 1:4 ratio of carers to children in long day care down from the 1:5. Congratulations also to the LHMU and other children's advocates who have campaigned for this.
• the Premier continues to demonstrate his willingness to open up the NSW government to scrutiny he has mandated that press releases will now be available on the web, introduced a lobbyist code of conduct and will turn our current FOI system on it's head
• the Premier also announced changes to tackle the impact of anti social drinking is having on our communities
• the government increased the amount of money that people are able to claim if they are victims of discrimination
• the government is also seeking submission on community based sentencing that would get rid of periodic detention.
• Nathan also announced $63million to provide 220,000 low income households with an energy efficiency overhaul.

Game of the week: Sarah Palin as President

Videos of the week: Sarah Palin fronts Saturday night live, Obama Wassup, Why the wheels are falling off the McCain campaign.

Regards

Penny

PS Congratulations to Jane Sanders from the Shopfront Youth Legal service who won the 2008 Justice Medal. For 15 years Jane has worked with young people in and around Kings Cross to do so much more than just represent them in court. She has also fed, clothed and found housing for some of our most troubled young people. She is a quietly ferocious advocate for young people. The fight for justice is better as a result of Jane's work.

Penny in Parliament

This week I brought to the attention of the parliament the parlous state of online engagement by NSW MP's and urged people to get behind the campaign for a Charter of Rights for Australia.

I have also spoken on the following legislation:

• Home building amendment bill
• New demerit system for learner drivers
• Body Piercing
• Dividing Fences
• Mental Health forensic procedures bill

Announcements in my Duty Electorates

• The Government released population and household projections for the South East of NSW (including my Duty Electorate of Bega).
• The Government also injected an additional $397 000 into maintenance for schools in the North Shore (including Castle Cove Public School, Chatswood Public School and Willoughby Public School in my Duty Electorate of Willoughby).

Rees Government in Action

• Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment and Climate Change Carmel Tebbutt announced that 51 local councils would share $12.3 million for improving local recycling service and reducing waste.
• The Government clarified that it would not allow tobacco company advertising at any racing events.
• The Food Authority investigated the claims of ice-cream sundae contamination at the Coogee Bay Hotel, and the RTA picked up a prestigious marketing award for its successful anti-speeding ‘Pinkie' campaign.
• Minister for Roads Michael Daley announced that the NSW Government was set to crackdown on identity fraud, with the development of new facial recognition technology.
• Ports and Waterways Minister, Joe Tripodi launched the Cruise Hunter website to introduce Newcastle and the Hunter Region to the world of international cruise shipping.
• Minister for Planning Kristina Keneally announced widespread reforms that will speed up the time it takes for land to be rezoned and released for new housing.
• Minister for Community Services Linda Burney told the Parliament that there had been a 41.2 per cent increase in the number of babies under one reported to the Department of Community Services' Helpline between 2004/05 and 2006/07.
• The Community Services Minister also made visits to a program in Parramatta that assists African families to adjust to their new lives in Australia and Newpin (the New Parent Infant Network) Doonside.
• Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald called for volunteers for the Fishcare program and in his capacity as Duty MLC for Coffs Harbour, congratulated local students for taking out third prize in a workplace competition.
• The Attorney General said that the Government is drafting new sex crime legislation which will create new offences and increase penalties.
• Industrial Relations Minister John Hatzistergos said that employers should consider creating more flexible workplaces to cater for the growing number of mature aged workers, particularly those with caring responsibilities.
• Minister for Local Government Barbara Perry announced over $1 million worth of grants to provide new equipment and infrastructure for children's play areas across 57 Local Government Areas, and in her capacity as Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health) urged young people to access counseling services for stress, anxiety and depression in light of figures which highlight the extent of mental illness among young people.
• In Parliament laws were passed introducing a demerit system for learner drivers, and legislation governing the advertising of unclassified films and computer games was amended.
• The Nationals comments about the response to plague locusts showed once again just how out of touch they are.

and

• A no-fees policy was introduced for all respite centres operated by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.

Committees wanting to hear from you

• Inquiry into Operation of the Health Care Complaints Act 1993, closes 28 November.
• Inquiry into New South Wales planning framework, closes 12 December.
• Inquiry into Governance of NSW universities, closes 16 February.

Take Action

Check out the ABC's Have Your Say website, and contribute your views on the future roles of Australia's two national broadcasters, the ABC and SBS, to the Federal Government's review.

Come along to the book launch for ‘Human Rights Overboard - Seeking Asylum In Australia', Tuesday, 11 November 2008, 7.00 pm at Glebe Cafi Church. mail [at] ajustaustralia [dot] com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://au.mc559.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=mail [at] ajustaustralia [dot] com">RSVP here.

Support the campaign to abolish the ABCC and give workers in the construction industry the same rights as every other Australian.

Sign the AMWU's petition to support Australia's car and car components workers.

Join the GeUp Campaign asking the government to take action to dramatically cut greenhouse pollution, shift to clean energy and solve the climate crisis now.

Catalyst Australia in partnership with the Australian Institute of Employment Rights is holding a series of public forums on Restoring Rights at Work: Lessons from the UK?.

Position vacant: Come and work for NSW Labor MLC Mick Veitch as his Secretary / Research Assistant.

Come along to the Newtown Theatre's production of The Laramie Project which tells the story of Matthew Shepard, who was bashed and left to die in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998. The trial of his attackers became famous for the use of the 'gay panic' defence in America, and focused worldwide attention on hate crimes.

Quote of the Week

Michael was Michael, but on this issue, Michael was wrong... The Costa era of ambiguity (about climate change) is over. There is no longer a climate change skeptic at the centre of government decision-making in this state.

-  Premier Nathan Rees' letting us all know change is possible