A regional transport authority could be funded if the share of mining royalties returned to the region is increased.
CFMEU Mining and Energy Division estimate that in the financial year 2010/2011 almost $1.8 billion will be paid to the NSW government in mining royalties. A huge chunk of that comes from the Hunter region. Yet, both major parties appear unable to commit to providing our rightful share of that staggering sum. This is money that could be used to improve our infrastructure, health and education. It could be used to improve our woeful public transport system to get people out of cars, reduce road congestion.
Part of the millions returned to the Hunter region could then be used to fund a regional transport authority, to bring together stakeholders and the community and plan the best possible outcomes for our communities. For too long, public transport planning has been Sydney-centric. This region, especially the Lake Macquarie area, is always the poor relation when it comes to allocating funding for public transport. There really is no viable public transport option. It is certainly not an attractive option for most people – to leave the car at home or park and ride on public transport.
A regional transport authority would have to be apolitical, focused on our region and populated not only by qualified transport planners but by local people who actually use or would use public transport. There must also real consultation with the community and ultimately be accountable to the community.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Separation of Church and State is crucial in a democracy!
Since when is it healthy in a democracy for the church to be interfering in politics? It is fundamental to our democratic process that there be a separation of church and state. However that does not appear to be the view of the Fred Nile led Christian Democratic Party. Noreen Tibbet, the CDP candidate for Swansea is quoted in the Newcastle Herald today as wanting to get elected to make sure all legislation that is passed is in line with a biblical ethos! Isn't that like sharia law? And which bible is she talking about - not the Old Testament I hope.
It is very scary that the Liberals are preferencing these religious zealots in the Upper House. Scary religious people who want to control women's bodies and indocrinate children with their own particular version of religious dogma.
Religion is much more sinister than just 'opium for the masses'. It masquerades as social justice, human rights and equity but in reality it is about power, control and maintaining the patriarchal hegemony. The latest attack on the Greens by some Catholic bishops demonstrates that they are feeling the loosening of their grip on people. What scares them the most is that people are beginning to actually think for themselves and the conclusions they are reaching are not favouble to churches and religion.
In reality, the Greens policies are more closely aligned with the teachings of that great humanitarian, Jesus Christ. The Greens stand for social justice and equity, human rights and the rights of the individual to control their own body, the right to equitable education, transport and health care.
It is very scary that the Liberals are preferencing these religious zealots in the Upper House. Scary religious people who want to control women's bodies and indocrinate children with their own particular version of religious dogma.
Religion is much more sinister than just 'opium for the masses'. It masquerades as social justice, human rights and equity but in reality it is about power, control and maintaining the patriarchal hegemony. The latest attack on the Greens by some Catholic bishops demonstrates that they are feeling the loosening of their grip on people. What scares them the most is that people are beginning to actually think for themselves and the conclusions they are reaching are not favouble to churches and religion.
In reality, the Greens policies are more closely aligned with the teachings of that great humanitarian, Jesus Christ. The Greens stand for social justice and equity, human rights and the rights of the individual to control their own body, the right to equitable education, transport and health care.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Our most precious resource
Greens candidate for Swansea, Phillipa Parsons, has called on the State government to urgently redress the disparity in wages between early childhood teachers working in community based preschools and those in others.
“University qualified early childhood teachers who opt to teach in community based preschools rather than in Department of Education and Training preschools and schools, are paid up to 20% less, equating to about $14,000 less per year,” Ms Parsons said.
“The State government has had quality teachers working for reduced wages for too long and it is now time to step up to the plate and ensure parity of wages for all preschool teachers, regardless of the way they are funded.
It is Greens policy that all children should be able to access publicly funded, quality preschool education for two years before school age. We need professional early childhood teachers in all our preschools, including community based preschools and long day care centres, yet the lower wages do nothing to attract or retain quality staff” she said.
“Early childhood teachers are some of the most undervalued members of the educational profession, yet the work they do cannot be overestimated. They do it for love and the sheer enjoyment of guiding and educating our youngest children in their formative years, and they should be remunerated accordingly.
This occupation is traditionally seen as a ‘female’ type of employment and the graduate numbers prove this to be correct. I would argue that if this was a role mainly staffed by men, the wages would be raised without hesitation,” alleged Ms Parsons.
“If this situation is not rectified, NSW will see a loss of qualified early child hood teachers in a climate where quality childcare is becoming more difficult for parents to access. The same rules that apply to schools must also apply to early childhood education so that it is accessible for our most precious resource, our children.”
“University qualified early childhood teachers who opt to teach in community based preschools rather than in Department of Education and Training preschools and schools, are paid up to 20% less, equating to about $14,000 less per year,” Ms Parsons said.
“The State government has had quality teachers working for reduced wages for too long and it is now time to step up to the plate and ensure parity of wages for all preschool teachers, regardless of the way they are funded.
It is Greens policy that all children should be able to access publicly funded, quality preschool education for two years before school age. We need professional early childhood teachers in all our preschools, including community based preschools and long day care centres, yet the lower wages do nothing to attract or retain quality staff” she said.
“Early childhood teachers are some of the most undervalued members of the educational profession, yet the work they do cannot be overestimated. They do it for love and the sheer enjoyment of guiding and educating our youngest children in their formative years, and they should be remunerated accordingly.
This occupation is traditionally seen as a ‘female’ type of employment and the graduate numbers prove this to be correct. I would argue that if this was a role mainly staffed by men, the wages would be raised without hesitation,” alleged Ms Parsons.
“If this situation is not rectified, NSW will see a loss of qualified early child hood teachers in a climate where quality childcare is becoming more difficult for parents to access. The same rules that apply to schools must also apply to early childhood education so that it is accessible for our most precious resource, our children.”
Buildev and NSW Labor - a match made in heaven?
Greens candidate for Swansea, Phillipa Parsons, has challenged the denial of property developers, Buildev and the member for Swansea, Robert Coombes that donations to the NSW Labor Party have influenced planning decisions.
“Buildev is quoted in Newcastle Herald (17/3/11) as stating that developer donations to political parties were banned before this development proposal process began. Conversely, I have the 18 page document entitled ‘Blacksmiths/Swansea: commercial development opportunity expression of interest, Buildev group: December 2009.’ Developer donations were not legislated against until 2010,” Ms Parsons said.
“It is just too coincidental that Buildev donated money to NSW Labor twice in 2009, the same year they submitted their Expression of Interest to develop the foreshores of Swansea Channel in Blacksmiths and Swansea.
The amount donated is way over and above what they donated to the Liberals in the same year. From January to June 2009 Buildev donated $45,000 to NSW Labor and between June and December 2009 they again made a donation, this time of $30,000. Compare this with the relatively paltry sum of $13,000 donated in 2009 to the Liberals,” she said.
Mr Coombes is now singing the praises of Buildev’s Expression of Interest, despite the current zonings of the sites being primary conservation and public open space, and with ecological concerns about one. Mr Coombes has stated that the process was open and transparent but I challenge him to present a coherent argument of how this overdevelopment can be substantiated. We certainly do not need another marina in Lake Macquarie to fulfill any community need,” she said.
“Yet, consistent with the modus operandi of this developer-friendly government this proposal will most likely be classified as ‘state significant.’ This means it will be dealt with solely by the State government under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning Act, as has the development proposal at Catherine Hill Bay. This of course, means that Lake Macquarie City Council and the community will be ridden over roughshod once again by this Labor government.”
“Buildev is quoted in Newcastle Herald (17/3/11) as stating that developer donations to political parties were banned before this development proposal process began. Conversely, I have the 18 page document entitled ‘Blacksmiths/Swansea: commercial development opportunity expression of interest, Buildev group: December 2009.’ Developer donations were not legislated against until 2010,” Ms Parsons said.
“It is just too coincidental that Buildev donated money to NSW Labor twice in 2009, the same year they submitted their Expression of Interest to develop the foreshores of Swansea Channel in Blacksmiths and Swansea.
The amount donated is way over and above what they donated to the Liberals in the same year. From January to June 2009 Buildev donated $45,000 to NSW Labor and between June and December 2009 they again made a donation, this time of $30,000. Compare this with the relatively paltry sum of $13,000 donated in 2009 to the Liberals,” she said.
Mr Coombes is now singing the praises of Buildev’s Expression of Interest, despite the current zonings of the sites being primary conservation and public open space, and with ecological concerns about one. Mr Coombes has stated that the process was open and transparent but I challenge him to present a coherent argument of how this overdevelopment can be substantiated. We certainly do not need another marina in Lake Macquarie to fulfill any community need,” she said.
“Yet, consistent with the modus operandi of this developer-friendly government this proposal will most likely be classified as ‘state significant.’ This means it will be dealt with solely by the State government under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning Act, as has the development proposal at Catherine Hill Bay. This of course, means that Lake Macquarie City Council and the community will be ridden over roughshod once again by this Labor government.”
Saturday, February 19, 2011
"I'm not racist but...." Oh yes you are!
The Shadow Minister for Immigration, Scott Morrison's blatant demonising of the bereaved asylum seekers is racism, pure and simple and worthy of the label 'Hansonism.' This capacity to create an 'us and them' mentality, whereby fellow human beings in distress can be viewed through a lens of fear and difference rather than concern and empathy, is shameful. When we profess our christianity yet practice something far less than what Jesus Christ would do, we are making a mockery of everything we declare our nation to be built upon. How can any one of us begin to compare what the asylum seekers have been through, with our lives? To suggest it is unfair to assist them with burying their dead and petulantly exclaim that we wouldn't be offered the same service shows a lack of maturity and understanding of all the issues. I am ashamed that there is still a deep vein of racism running through our society, though always prefaced with the ubiquitious "I'm not racist but...." Conversely, I suggest that if you find yourself nodding along as some politician dog whistles about sight seeing tours and how these 'lucky' people have their funerals paid for then you need to engage in some self-reflection.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Save Catherine Hill Bay from overdevelopment
I was pleased to see at lease 500 people at the Save Catho protest this morning, on the beach at Catho! The Catho Boardriders had laid out surfboards on the sand to spell out 'Save Catho' and the Channel 7 helicopter hovered for ages filming us all, wearing red t-shirts and waving! Didn't see the Libs candidate, Garry Edwards but did see Independent Gillian Sneddon and sitting ALP member Robert Coombes. Surprised Mr Coombes was there given his previous statement that development at Catho is "inevitable".
This area was originally a mining town, set up for the purpose of housing the miners employed to work in the coal mines underneath the whole area. Now, it is an iconic reminder of our heritage and should be returned to the community as a conservation area, not turned into a mcmansion paradise with little public transport, no real amenities and poor infrastructure. It should be retained as a buffer between the expanding cities of Lake Macquarie and Wyong, not turned into a satellite suburb that will destroy the ambiance and heritage value of the place. Indeed, it is only the land deal between the rotten state Labor government and Rose Group that has seen the proposal get this far. Catho was listed near the bottom of the list of potential development sites in the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy until Rose Group called in favours from NSW Labor (see www. democracyforsale.com.au for a list of donations). This of course was only possible due to then Planning Minister Sartor's notorious Part 3A amendments to the EP&A Act - really the 'key to the door' for developers to move in on any area of NSW and bypass local councils and communities. Well, enough is enough and the people have well and truly spoken - stop any development of Catho, rezone to conservation and get rid of the dirty Part 3A to prevent anything like this happening again.
This area was originally a mining town, set up for the purpose of housing the miners employed to work in the coal mines underneath the whole area. Now, it is an iconic reminder of our heritage and should be returned to the community as a conservation area, not turned into a mcmansion paradise with little public transport, no real amenities and poor infrastructure. It should be retained as a buffer between the expanding cities of Lake Macquarie and Wyong, not turned into a satellite suburb that will destroy the ambiance and heritage value of the place. Indeed, it is only the land deal between the rotten state Labor government and Rose Group that has seen the proposal get this far. Catho was listed near the bottom of the list of potential development sites in the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy until Rose Group called in favours from NSW Labor (see www. democracyforsale.com.au for a list of donations). This of course was only possible due to then Planning Minister Sartor's notorious Part 3A amendments to the EP&A Act - really the 'key to the door' for developers to move in on any area of NSW and bypass local councils and communities. Well, enough is enough and the people have well and truly spoken - stop any development of Catho, rezone to conservation and get rid of the dirty Part 3A to prevent anything like this happening again.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Why not a ferry service on Lake Macquarie?
I was interviewed on local ABC radio this morning to air my views that a ferry service on Lake Macquarie is a great idea. It is ludicrous that there is no public transport on the lake at all! Surely the state government could conduct a feasibility study rather than just dismiss it as the sitting member for Swansea did today in response. The fact is that the state government is going to have to really begin to take action on climate change and peak oil! How long can we continue to build more roads, build more cars.....? We need better, more effective and more convenient public transport to get cars off the roads and with an improved bus service from ferry wharves, think about how many people would be willing to park and ride or even cycle from home to ferry wharf and then to work from the destination point. It is merely populist rhetoric that keeps politicians (and candidates I might add!) promising to upgrade this road, or add an extra one here etc. The truth is that people would be more willing to utilise public transport on a regular basis if it was really more convenient, reliable and frequent. Tell me what you think....
Saturday, January 29, 2011
2011 NSW state election - Here we go again!!
Yes it's on again, election campaign time! I am officially announced as the Greens candidate for the NSW state seat of Swansea, a huge electorate currently held by ALP Robert Coombes. A very safe Labor seat with a margin of about 15%, this time it will be different! Mr Coombes has upset quite a few people with his silence of the massive overdevelopment proposal by Rose Group and Coal and Allied at Catherine Hill Bay and Gwandalan. By the way there is a rally planned for 9.30am Saturday 5 Feb at Catho if you can make it! The whole Part 3A legislation must be disposed of - it strips councils of any power and rides roughshod over local communities.
Another big issue has been Housing NSW self-approving low cost affordable housing on sites that have not been properly assessed and without undertaking any community consultation at all.
The Greens offer a real alternative to the two old parties and I believe the people of Swansea will not automatically vote ALP this time yet are not quite ready to vote for a Coalition government. I think we'll see a big swing to the Greens again in 2011!
Another big issue has been Housing NSW self-approving low cost affordable housing on sites that have not been properly assessed and without undertaking any community consultation at all.
The Greens offer a real alternative to the two old parties and I believe the people of Swansea will not automatically vote ALP this time yet are not quite ready to vote for a Coalition government. I think we'll see a big swing to the Greens again in 2011!
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