Ebrief #51 - 6 February 2009

Ebrief #51 - 6 February 2009

Intro

2009 is back with a vengeance. Thanks to those of you who completed my survey last year. I will be tweaking the ebrief as a result of your comments. If you have any other suggestions, let me know.

As you would be aware, there have been two new additions to the NSW Ministry. A full list of who is doing what can be found here.

The current economic situation remains grim. Having our government's (local, state and federal) investing in infrastructure especially in local communities, transport, schools and housing demonstrates why Labor governments are the people to provide the most compassionate, strategic and nation building response to these challenges.

Website's of the week: Have you checked out the Premier's website? Want to spread the love this Valentine's Day to those doing it tough on the streets of Kings X? Obama continues to organise online. And for something completely silly - ever thought your pet dog would look good dressed up as a bee?

Videos of the week: Hillary and Bill and Obama. Jack Black and friends support the GLBT community.

Regards

Penny

Government in Action

Premier Nathan Rees:

• announced that he will be chairing a high level summit with senior industry leaders later this month, to protect jobs in NSW in the face of the global economic crisis;
• welcomed the release of the Ombudsman's review of the FOI Act; and
• inspected the site where tunnelling work will begin on the M5 East filtration plant to improve air quality in the tunnel.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Carmel Tebbutt said NSW is leading the way on climate change with the first meeting of the Sydney Carbon Market Taskforce.

NSW Minister's welcomed the Rudd Government's $42 Billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan, including the $14.7 billion investment in education and the $6.4 billion injection into the nation's social housing sector.

Minister for Transport David Campbell said the next phase of the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link was ready to commence; announced a another great deal from CountryLink; made commuters aware that three bus stops at Cremorne Junction and Neutral Bay Junction will be converted to PrePay-only during weekday morning peak hours; and revealed the results of a crackdown to stop taxi touting.

Minister for Education and Training Verity Firth advised HSC students to plan ahead for a work-life balance this year.

Minister for Fair Trading Virginia Judge announced that new laws to provide NSW consumers with detailed information on the costs and components of a funeral came into force from 1 February 2009.

Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer) Jodi McKay announced a $7 million boost for cancer researchers and said NSW and Victorian researchers have made a stem-cell research breakthrough.

And on World Cancer Day (4 February) Minister McKay unveiled a new stateof-the-art BreastScreen Reading and Radiology Training and Education Centre and released a report by the Cancer Institute indicating the risk to people in NSW of preventable cancers. 

Minister for State Development Ian Macdonald released a report showing the creative sector's economic contribution to NSW and in his capacity as Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald encouraged recreational fishers to apply for a grant to enhance community fishing facilities.

Minister for Roads Michael Daley announced the next 25 school zones to be fitted with flashing lights.

Water Minister Phil Costa launched a program to replace 20,000 single flush toilets with four star water efficient dual flush models at a subsidised cost.

Minister for Redfern Waterloo Kristina Keneally announced the appointment of Mr Roy Wakelin-King as the new CEO of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority.

In her capacity as Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally also commenced public consultation on a proposal to create a more natural headland and larger northern cove for Barangaroo; said that Landcom sales and inquiries had jumped with recent interest rate cuts; and launched a state-wide road show for homebuilders to find out more about the State Government's new housing code. 

Announcements in my duty electorates:

• In Sydney's CBD, workplace inspectors will be visiting accommodation businesses from 12 February as part of a joint campaign between the NSW Office of Industrial Relations and the Workplace Ombudsman.
• In Willoughby, a brand new floating pontoon will be built at Tunks Park boat ramp in North Sydney thanks to a $295,780 NSW Government grant and the Minister for Transport launched a pilot scheme placing paper recycling bins on train stations across Sydney, including Chatswood.
• And in Bega the Government is spending $900,000 to upgrade the Princes Highway at Narooma.

Committees wanting to hear from you

Inquiry into Adoption by same sex couples, closes 13 February.

Inquiry into New South Wales planning framework, closes 13 February.

Inquiry into Governance of NSW universities, closes 16 February.

Inquiry into the privatisation of prisons and prison-related services, closes 27 February.

Inquiry into Homelessness and low-cost rental accommodation, closes 6 March.

Inquiry into Bullying of children and young people, closes 13 March.

Inquiry into Sustainable Procurement, closes 13 March.

Inquiry into Heavy Vehicle Safety, closes 27 March.

Take Action

Repeal the AusAID Family Planning Guidelines

Write to the PM urging him to remove the AusAID Family Planning Guidelines. The Guidelines were introduced when the Howard Government needed the support of Brian Harradine for the partial sale of Telstra.

As one of his first acts as US President, Barack Obama removed the contentious Mexico City Policy, the Global Gag, which prevented nongovernment organisations from using US dollars to either educate about unsafe abortion, or provide safe abortions, overseas.

Australia is now the only country in the world to limit overseas aid funds in this way. Ask the PM to repeal the AusAID Family Planning Guidelines now.

Celebrate Mardi Gras with Rainbow Labor

Come to a Film Screening of ‘The Times of Harvey Milk' on 26 February, march in the parade with Rainbow Labor or make a small donation to help cover the costs of Mardi Gras 2009.

Cheques are payable to Rainbow Labor NSW, c/o 422 Crown St, Surry Hills 2010.

Alternatively, you can donate by Electronic Funds Transfer to "Rainbow Labor (NSW)", BSB: 112 879 | Account Number: 152 961 134.

Spread the Love on Valentines Day for Wayside Chapel

Help me raise money to make sure that the Wayside Chapel can keep on helping the 1000s of people who need their services each year.

Check out the Roomies @ the House art exhibition at Parliament House

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of opening the Roomies at the House art exhibition.

During February 2009, the art of 18 Roomies artists and their mentors will be on display at the Fountain Court Gallery, Parliament House, Sydney. The Fountain Court Gallery is open to the public and definitely worth a visit.

Quotes of the week

For those of you interested in the inner workings of the Christian Democratic Party (CDP):

Dr Moyes once described Mr Nile as a pathetic, friendless figure who works all day with his door closed and "eats his fast-food meals alone and he spends every night alone in a cheap motel in western Sydney".

- Gordon Moyes on his Parliamentary colleague CDP leader Fred Nile (as quoted in the SMH)

______

"Please pray that Mr Moyes will fulfil his verbal advice in 2008 to the CDP management Committee that he would plan resigning [sic] in 2009 when he would be eligible for his Parliamentary Pension".

- Fred Nile in 'Family World News' wishing Gordon Moyes would just go away.

______

And finally...

"... for a long time I have been trying to move the Christian Democratic Party in a more Christian direction, away from the anti-Muslim immigration, anti-Muslim schools for the children of Australian citizens, and everything that is anti-gay."

- Gordon Moyes becoming a progressive and a moderate (?)