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....

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!

Launch of Greens candidates for Shortland and Charlton

NSW Greens MLC Dr. John Kaye launched the campaigns for the Greens candidates for Shortland, Phillipa Parsons and Charlton, Ian McKenzie.

Hannah Gissane and myself taking it to Charlestown... to the bus stop on Pacific Highway!

Do you think we have enough corflutes?

The ballot draw at the ACE office om Charlestown today. The Greens position on the ballot paper will be No. 1. Which is nice.

Media Release: Too much of a gamble?

The Greens candidate for Shortland, Phillipa Parsons believes the recommendations made by the Productivity Commission regarding gaming laws need to be addressed by the federal government as a matter of urgency. “These changes are desperately needed to address the social and economic problem of gambling addiction, a subject rarely discussed by politicians but one which has huge impacts on families,” she said.

“One significant recommendation easily implemented is for periodic shutdowns of gambling areas. This would be in addition to the current mandatory six hour (overnight) shutdown period. Under this proposal, poker machines would be shut down for 10 minutes every hour or half an hour every three hours,” said Ms Parsons.

“Problem gambling is the focus of the Commission’s report and urgent action is recommended to address this destructive addiction. Yet while both the government and the Coalition are aware of the urgency required it hasn’t rated a mention in the political maelstroms of spin emanating from both sides,” Ms Parsons said.

“Unlike some of the non-issues being relied upon by both major parties to draw battle lines this election, this is a real issue, one that is affecting Australian families right now and one that can so easily be addressed. My question to both major parties is do you have the political will to follow through these much needed recommendations?” Ms Parsons asked.

“Most of the harm minimization measures recommended by the Commission can be implemented quickly and at relatively low cost, with few transitional issues, however the financial gain by the state governments explains why there is such resistance to banning or restricting poker machines in hotels,” she said.

“The federal government needs to act and there is no doubt it has the power to act in this area. The Greens support minimizing the harm caused by problem gambling and with the balance of power in the senate, would work to ensure these recommendations are implemented,” she said.

Media Release: Look after our aged care workers!

“Aged care workers must be the most undervalued in Australia if pay rates and lack of adequate government regulation of providers are any indication,” said Greens candidate for Shortland, Phillipa Parsons.“Shortland has an older than average population and the Federal government must ensure that those caring for our aging citizens are adequately cared for in return. Poor rates of pay compared with other sectors of the health industry may equate to a lack of quality, caring staff to adequately care for our aging population,” she said.“Lee Rhiannon has worked tirelessly in the NSW Upper House for the people of NSW and will continue to represent NSW aged care workers in the Australian senate by working towards delivering better recognition of the valuable work they do and to improving wages,” said Ms Parsons.“The Australian government spends millions of taxpayers’ money subsidising aged care providers yet aged care nurses consistently earn much less than nurses in hospitals and most other healthcare settings. The Greens will work to redress this imbalance,” she said.

“Some multi-national companies operating aged care facilities are attempting to shape agendas and policies to enhance their bottom line, whilst milking the Australian government and underpaying NSW aged care nurses. The federal government needs to ensure that pay rates for aged care workers are in line with the invaluable service they provide in our communities,” Ms Parsons said.