Red Leather #70 - Monday 9 November 2009

Not sure how we find ourselves in mid November. Every year whizzes by and before I know it I am getting ready for very late night parliamentary sittings as the government seeks to get the rest of our legislation through before the end of the year.

In recent weeks the government has:

• been pleased about the progress the NSW economy is making. The number of all property and land sales in NSW has increased 29.4 per cent in the September 2009 quarter compared to the same time last year and residential building approvals have increased 17 per cent above national average.
• Announced new safety regulations to target the high rate of injuries from children traveling in cars.
• Approved a $150 million, 26 turbine wind farm 12 kilometres west of Glen Innes. The new wind farm had the potential to generate power for more than 25,000 NSW homes
• Barangaroo will be a world leading ecological development, with the NSW Government announcing the project will enter the Clinton Climate Initiative's Climate Positive Development Program.
• Noted that A national survey by Screen Australia shows that NSW is leading Australia's film and television production. The value of production in NSW for the past financial year was $434 million - or 63% of the national total.

This weekend will be the State Conference of the NSW Labor Party. The rubber will hit the road when conference delegates have to decide what reforms to embrace coming out of the Building a Modern Labor Party consultation and the adoption of a revised platform.

This year the State conference will also feature a fringe program open to the public. I am hosting a Labor 2.0 event on Saturday at lunchtime . Click here for the whole program.  

Website of the week: The Crisis of Credit Visulazed. Explained in terms anyone can understand (it's 11 mins though) . Thanks to Matt daSilva for the suggestion.

Video of the week: The NSW Libs - two staffers have quit in the wake of this.

Regards
Penny

Government in action

Premier Nathan Rees:

• announced that NSW had secured production of Fury Road, a Mad Max film, giving a massive boost to the local film industry and the economy, creating around 540 jobs.
• announced that the NSW Government will invest $175 million in 107 NSW schools in low socio-economic communities across NSW.
• welcomed a new partnership with the City of Sydney to capture up to 440 million litres of run off water from the streets of Sydney; and
• said the NSW Government will trial a new community-wide scheme aimed at reducing alcohol-related violence in Manly this summer

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Carmel Tebbutt and Minister Assisting on Health (Cancer) Barbara Perry launched a new internet-based program to help improve cancer treatment in NSW and beyond.

Minister for Education and Training Verity Firth said students planning to undertake a Year 10 equivalent course at TAFE from next year would now have access to a wide range of approved industry-based courses.

Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts, Virginia Judge launched the 16th annual World of Women Film Festival at the Chauvel Cinema and opened the inaugural 48 Hour Film Project Awards Night.

Minister for Local Government Barbara Perry announced that all backyard swimming pools in NSW would be required to have a four-sided barrier, regardless of the size or the location of the property they are on, under a revamp of the State's swimming pool laws.

In her capacity as Minister Assisting on Health (Cancer), Barbara Perry opened two breast screening clinics in Western Sydney, and said that Westmead Hospital's  cancer care program had been awarded international accreditation by the European Society for Medical Oncology.

Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, said that since September 2008 the NSW Government has approved 490 Major Projects supporting nearly 62,000 jobs and almost $20 billion worth of investment in NSW; and announced changes that will make it cheaper and easier for clubs, pubs, cafés and restaurants to host live music.

The Planning Minister also said the NSW Government has approved the development of two new gas fired power stations north of Marulan which will support more than 500 jobs and over $800 million of investment; and announced a joint State and Local Government initiative that will see twelve high-growth councils take part in trialing the online version of the NSW Housing Code.

Minister for Commerce, Jodi McKay called for expressions of interest from the information technology sector to consolidate the Government's vast data storage and processing requirements.

As Minister for Science and Medical Research, Jodi McKay welcomed $130 million in grants as part of the Australian Research Council (ARC) funding program and opened the Science EXPOsed 2009 showcase at the Parliament of NSW.

Minister for Community Services Linda Burney said that new laws that allow and encourage government and community agencies to share vital information about vulnerable children had been proclaimed on 30 October 2009.

Minister for Police Michael Daley and Minister for Community Services Linda Burney launched a new crackdown on child cyber-groomers, with extra investigators to catch offenders and a new online safety campaign to help parents stop predators preying on their children.

Treasurer Eric Roozendaal welcomed further evidence of improved business confidence in the economy.

Minister for Ageing and Disability Services Paul Lynch said that NSW Seniors Card application forms are now available from Centrelink Customer Service Centres, and said more than 100 events will be held throughout the State as part the month-long Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign

Country Labor Deputy Convenor, Mick Veitch MLC announced a $1.4 million funding boost from the Rees Government for country transport facilities.

Penny in Parliament

I spoke about the 30 years of Legal Aid in NSW and amazing work done by community legal centres and gave the second reading speech for the Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Bill 2009.

Have your say on NSW Legislation

Fair Trading has released a Draft Residential Tenancies Bill 2009. The draft Bill has been prepared to update and reform the NSW residential tenancy laws and has been released by the Government for community consultation. Submissions on the draft Bill close on 18 December 2009.

Take action

Hear leading women of Australia offer their perspectives for climate policy, practical programs and activities that will mobilise women from all backgrounds and cultures to join in cutting CO2 pollution.

Check out the 1 Million Women Campaign for details.

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Times are a'Changin': Public Information Sessions

The NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby is running information evenings to increase public awareness of reforms to federal and state laws in relation to same-sex relationships and parental recognition.

Tues 10 Nov, 6.30pm: Tax and Superannuation @ Colombian Hotel
Mon 16 Nov, 6.30pm: General @ Erskineville Town Hall
Mon 30 Nov, 6.30pm: Social Security @ Surry Hills Neighbourhood Community Centre
Mon 7 Dec, 6.30pm: Parenting @ Glebe Town Hall

RSVP via email: glrl [at] glrl [dot] org [dot] au

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Reconciliation in Parliament - Tranby: A success story in Education and Reconciliation

The NSW Reconciliation Council is holding an event in the Theatrette at NSW Parliament House on Wednesday, 11 November featuring Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative College.

Executive Director Lindon Coombes and a Tranby Student will speak at a Forum showcasing the success of Tranby in education and reconciliation and exploring the current challenges facing the organisation.

The Forum is a great opportunity to hear about the nature of successful Aboriginal organisations such as Tranby. Members will also learn of the linkages between education, reconciliation and better social outcomes in NSW.

What:    Forum - Tranby: A Success Story in Education and Reconciliation
Where:  Theatrette, Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
When: 6:30pm-7:30pm, Wednesday 11 November 2009
RSVP:  info [at] nswreconciliation [dot] org [dot] au  or (02) 9562 6355

For more info: www.nswreconciliation.org.au/events  

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NSW Labor Conference Fringe Events

Labor 2.0

New technologies give the Labor Party and our elected representatives the opportunity to reach out to members and citizens. We are able to overcome problems of time, distance and disability to truly involve people in the decisions that governments (and Labor) makes.

Come and hear about online campaigning, the experience of an NSW MLC online and how elected members are using interactive technologies to give their constituency a say in how government grants are allocated.

Speakers: Penny Sharpe MLC, Tamsin Lloyd & Pete Johnson (Office of Verity Firth), and 3rd speaker TBC.
When: Lunchtime, Saturday 14 November
Where: Fringe Events Area, Upper Level, Sydney Entertainment Centre
Cost: Free
RSVP: cathy [dot] brown [at] parliament [dot] nsw [dot] gov [dot] au