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NSW - STATE OF HOPELESSNESS & HOPE
NSW at the beginning of 2009 represents the state of hopelessness and hope, yet in a real conundrum inside the category of hopelessness
there is hope, and inside the hope there is a feeling of hopelessness.
NSW is hopeless because it is led by a Premier who is a real class act, clinging to power at the whim of Eddie Obeid and Joe Tripodi. Yet there is
hope, because these two so-called "power-brokers" have over-played their hands. By ditching Frank Sartor from the government, they have
unleashed a sentiment which is being assiduously pursued. Drip by drip - Tripodi and Obeid 's power base will be destroyed. With the destruction
of their power base - the real class act Premier will come crashing down, and Frank Sartor will be installed as the "white knight" Premier. The real
question on everyone's lips is how long this process will take and how much damage will be inflicted in the remaining 2 years of the Labor Party
governance of NSW.
For example Alex Mitchell wrote in an article titled NSW development transparency clouds over in crikey.com on 4 February 2009:-
One of NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor's legacies was the establishment of the Planning Assessment Commission, a seven-member independent body of
experts to give transparency and arms-length propriety to decisions on major developments..........Sartor persuaded Cabinet to adopt the Planning Assessment
Commission to create a Chinese wall between the minister and hotly contested major developments.
He then staffed the body with his own experts:........
When the names became public, the developers were appalled. For them, this was the panel from hell: it comprised people of the highest probity with the
toughest hides. The game was over. Or was it?
In late November, Sartor's novice successor, Kristina Keneally, MP for Heffron, issued a press release headed "Depoliticising Planning Decisions" announcing
that the PAC would only get to make the decisions on a very small and diminishing number of developments -- those where the developer had made a donation
or where the Minister personally had a conflict.
In the interests of "depoliticising decisions", the Minister would make over 90% of the private developer decisions, not the 20% Sartor had envisioned.
Sartor's 11th hour attempt to restore some transparency to the untrammeled powers of the Minister has been derailed and his much-vaunted PAC has been
rendered virtually redundant. How long before Keneally dismantles it?
On the other hand NSW represents a state of hope - with the virtual certainty of a change of government in 2 years time in March 2011. Two
years of course is a long time, and the hope is thus largely tempered. The best community members can do it would seem is treat the next 2
years like a bad dream, knowing it will last a long time and simply endure it, whilst attempting to concentrate on other things as a distraction from
the horror tale as it unfolds.
Yet within this distant hope there is a sense of hopelessness, personified by the mantra "In politics one side is as bad as the other". After all it is
rare to see a political practitioner who doesn't throw out any pretense of principle and succumb to the lure of the big extra salary, the chauffeur
driven car and the expansive offices.. It happened after the 2007 NSW state election. It will happen again. However, the mantra may not be
correct this time - after all, no government could be as bad as this current one, no matter how bad. The Rees government in 2009 represents the
"pits". Any government can easily rise above the Terrigals controlled Labor government. The mantra should change, on this occasion to " Don't
put unrealistic expectations on what the new NSW government will achieve". To at least put a brake on the culture of corruption that rulz at
present, would be an achievement in itself.
SOURCES:
Joe Must Go
Andrew Clennell, Tripodi tries to jump ship, is told to go jump, Sydney Morning Herald, 5 February 2009.
Andrew Clennell, Tripodi encouraged to leave politics, Sydney Morning Herald, 6 February 2008
Rats Jumping Ship
Andrew Clennell, Second Whelan takes redundancy , Sydney Morning Herald, 7 February 2009
Reluctant to join a sinking ship
Andrew Clennell, Job vacant: Treasury secretary, pays $440,000 a year, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 February,2009
Whan's Win - A Victory for Obeid/Tripodi - A Slap in the face for the class act
The rise and rise of Brother Robbo , Sydney Morning Herald, 30 January 2009.
TAMWORTH HOSPITAL - TAMWORTH"S "SPIT BRIDGE"
No matter which way you splice it or dice it, the redevelopment of Tamworth Hospital is shaping up to be Tamworth's "Spit Bridge".
Visitors to this site will recall how the redevelopment of the Spit Bridge in the city seat of Manly was a promise made by the Labor government,
designed to give the then member for Manly, David Barr, a talentless MP who had been elected to parliament on the basis of the endorsement
and support from the previous popular member for Manly Dr Peter McDonald, the best chance of being re-elected. The promise of the
redevelopment of the Spit Bridge was continually trotted out, particularly at election time, as an achievement of David Barr and to demonstrate
how he was able to gain benefits from the government of the day (Labor) for the electorate of Manly.
In one of the most cynical exercises in political expediency, going into the 2007 election the NSW government was in possession of a report that
made the promised re-development of the Spit Bridge, untenable. Despite being in possession of this report, the Labor government kept it
secret, with the electors of Manly voting at the 2007 poll with the belief that the Spit Bridge re-development believing that the much delayed re-
development would occur sometime in the future. The dishonesty demonstrated by the Iemma government in with-holding that report from the
electors, is mind boggling. Immediately after the election, when clearly the electors of Manly were fed up with the "carrot-on-a-stick" promise of
the Spit Bridge redevelopment ,that had been continuously held out to them over an extended period, and dumped David Barr, the Iemma
government finally came clean and announced the project would not be proceeding because of the recommendation contained in the report
which had been in the government's possession for a considerable period.
IT seems that Peter Draper MP (Tamworth) believes that this "carrot-on-a-stick" approach will ensure his re-election at the 2011 poll. He has sent
an email to this website stating he expects to be re-elected with a bigger majority than the one he received at the 2007 election when the Iemma
government guaranteed that the construction of a new Tamworth hospital would commence (whatever that means) by the end of 2010.
Events that have transpired have demonstrated that the Iemma government had never properly budgeted for that to occur, and the promise was
a cynical one designed to ensure their mate was re-elected in the seat of Tamworth.
Of course, the Iemma/Rees government have never had the guts to be upfront and honest with the people of Tamworth about this. First, despite
the costs of the construction of the hospital not being included in the forward estimates for NSW out to the year 2016, Iemma maintained his
promise would be fulfilled. Then after the Terrigals faction dumped Iemma and replaced him with Nathan Rees ( the class act Premier of NSW),
Rees blamed the global financial market meltdown for the inability of the NSW government to actually include the cost of the hospital in the
forward estimates, but still maintained the hospital would go ahead as promised. He stated he would be meeting with Peter Draper MP early in
2009 to come up with a plan. If such a meeting has been held, neither Rees or Draper have rushed into print via media release to advise the
people of Tamworth of the outcome of it. Indeed both have been deadly silent about the promised meeting, if one was held at all.
NOW we learn that, despite having promised to fund the new hospital, the Rees government simply cannot do so and are trying to shift the
responsibility and blame for the promise, to the Federal government, saying they have made application to the Rudd government to finance the
new Tamworth hospital. Simply put - it is more carrot-on-a-stick - held out to the people of Tamworth so that they can hold out hope of a new
hospital. Carrot-on-a-stick may keep people happy for the time being. However, ultimately in the end , like the Spit Bridge - it becomes a cruel
hoax perpetuated on the people.
THAT Peter Draper can stand by and allow this to happen is a real sign of the mettle of the man. IF he truly was interested in the welfare of the
people of Tamworth he would be in there boots and all fighting for the hospital. Instead it seems he is content to allow the fairy tale that the
"carrot-on-a-stick" approach represents to continue, possibly because he hopes it may result in his re-election in 2011 (indeed from his
messages to us believes it will result in his re-election with an increased majority).
Any politician who puts their own self interest ahead of the interests of the people, deserves the highest censure.
SOURCES :
Passing buck over hospital, Northern Daily Leader, 5 February 2009.
Absurd hospital game must end, Northern Daily Leader, 30 January 2009
Reminder of what can be done, Northern Daily Leader, 6 February 2009
Nioka project is up to us ... again, Northern Daily Leader, 2 February 2009.
MEET CHI CHI & BELLA
On Sunday 8 February 2008 we encountered 2 remarkable animals.
CHI CHI
Chi Chi is a 10 year old female talking Eclectus, who has a vast vocabulary and loves to engage in conversation.
BELLA
BELLA is an 8 week old female Bichon Frise puppy. She is named Bella because in the Slovenian language Bella means
"white" and in the Italian language it means "beautiful". Bella is definitely a white beauty.
KENEALLY IN THE FIRING LINE IN 2011
We have said before that we expect Kristina Keneally MP (Heffron) to be the first (possibly of many) ministers in the Labor government to be
blasted out of parliament at the March 2011 general election. We expect she will be gunned down by a high profile independent candidate.
Recent decisions by Kristina Keneally as NSW Minister for Planning, have provided further ammunition to those who seek to cut short her
political life in NSW. What drives this woman is not exactly known. What we do know however is that the Terrigals factional leaders insisted that
the former Planning minister, and now Labor leader and Premier aspirant, Frank Sartor MP (Rockdale), be dumped from the Rees ministry
because he failed to approve certain developments. We know that it was the Terrigals who delivered the numbers to Rees to become Premier.
We know that Rees is aware that he rules at the whim of the Terrigals. Indeed we know that Rees is well aware that the Terrigals are prepared to
use their strength, even if causes embarrassment to Rees, as demonstrated by the recent selection of the Terrigals member and Terrigals
supported MP, Steve Whan MP (Monaro) in the ballot for a vacant ministerial position, over the Rees supported candidate Paul Macleay. What
leader of a government in Australia today, other than NSW's class act Premier, would tolerate such an event, with it's resultant embarrassment
and humiliation ? It's a sure bet that the Terrrigals insisted that Keneally be appointed Planning minister to replace Sartor, and that Rees was too
weak to oppose such a demand. Keneally is a Terrigals sycophant.
1. Huntlee New Town
The Huntlee New Town development (near Branxton) was initially a project of Hardie Holdings which admitted it spent almost $500,000 in
donations over 7 years in order to secure "access" to NSW Labor MP's, to enable it to lobby for approval of it's project. Since obtaining an initial
approval in 2006, Hardie Holdings onsold a 75% interest in the project.
The project is opposed by many including Cessnock Council, the Roads & Traffic Authority and residents. This opposition apparently means
nothing to Keneally, who seemingly has fallen over herself to do the bidding for her bosses. Keneally has shown her true colours.
" Shadow Minister for Planning Brad Hazzard MP (Wakehurst) said on 11 February 2009:
" Community consultation and lack of infrastructure were ignored in the latest Part 3A approval of concept plans for a new township in
the Lower Hunter. State Labor has shown yet again it is committed to ignoring community concerns and making planning decisions that
lack local council support. The history of the approval of the Huntlee town development involves numerous meetings behind closed
doors and tame local Labor MPs failing to voice the community’s concerns. It is alleged that major Labor figures have been involved in
getting the development to the starting line. Labor has a history of questionable lobbying where the ‘whatever it takes’ principle is
applied. Coming on the back of the Wollongong corruption fiasco – it would have been logical for State Labor to adhere to principles of
transparency. “Instead decisions are being made behind closed doors and no consideration given to the views of the local community
on transport and road infrastructure needs."
SOURCES:
Housing decision sends shockwaves, Newcastle Herald, 11 February 2009.
ABC News, Green light for major ALP donor's town, ABC Radio, 10 February 2009
Julieanne Strachan, Boom town: state approves $1.8bn Huntlee project, Newcastle Herald, 11 February 2009
Council won't mince words over Huntlee, The Advertiser, 11 February 2009
Michelle Harris, RTA condemns traffic studies, Newcastle Herald, 11 February 2009.
2. Hill Top Shooting Range.
Lee Rhiannon MLC possibly had her finger on the pulse when she said on 9 February 2009:-
"Premier Nathan Rees should overrule Planning Minister Kristina Keneally's approval of the Southern Highlands Regional Shooting
Complex and instruct her to find a new location for the project. The approval of this shooting complex in the face of widespread
community opposition is another example of the unhealthy relationship between Labor and the Shooters Party.
It looks like another political fix between Labor and the Shooters Party. The NSW government gets the support of two crucial Shooters
Party votes in the Upper House while the people of the southern highlands get a shooting range most of them don't want. The Shooters
Party MPs have delivered reliable votes to the NSW Labor government on critical issues such as blocking the release of government
documents on the desalination plant, legislation approving the Olympic Park V8 car races, and stopping an inquiry into planning laws
and developers."
SOURCES:
Wendy Frew , Shooting range approval pleases no one, Sydney Morning Herald, 10 february 2009.
ABC News, Party takes aim at shooting complex hours, ABC Radio, 10 February 2009.
Robyn Murray, Gun deal pleases nobody, Southern Highland News, 11 February 2009
With the Terrigals apparently seeking absolute power, and not being satisfied with the dismal performance in the polls of their annointed (left
wing) Premier, and thus seeking to appoint one of their own to the top job, it is not surprising to hear reports that Kristina Keneally has "started
taking elocution lessons to tame her American accent just in case they come knocking to offer her the leadership ", according to an
article titled NSW Planning Minister Keneally romperstomps by Alex Mitchell at crikey.com on 11 February 2009.
Just goes to show how out of touch the Terrigals are with the real world (one comprised of real people - and not populated by spivs,shysters and
developers).
DOES THE NEW MARDI GRAS HAVE ANY RELEVANCE ???
The answer to that question is we believe a resounding NO, for many of the reasons set out in an article by Elizabeth Farrelly titled Mardi Gras
has become too straight for comfort, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 February 2009.
However, more importantly, the fact that New Mardi Gras is now in receipt of a NSW government grant to stage the annual event, means the soul
of the event has been mortally wounded. Struggle, self-reliance and a "f**k-you" attitude which so characterised the spirit of the event, has gone
forever.
REES GET's CO-INCIDENTAL PROTECTION
Whilst PM Rudd may have ordered the brawling in NSW Labor to stop to enable him a better chance in NSW in an early federal election later this
year, possibly a double dissolution, that order if implemented apart from helping Rudd has a number of detrimental "spin-off" effects for NSW:-
1. It ensures the retention of the class act Premier, Nathan Rees, as Premier until after the federal election. Simply put, Rees is a joke.
2. It ensures that the Terrigals remain firmly in control of the NSW government, and a break away group mooted as the Sensibles will be thwarted
in their attempts to usurp or at least diminish the power of the Terrigals, at least until after the federal election.
3. It ensures that Frank Sartor remains on the back bench and will be unable to challenge Rees, at least until after the federal election.
Clearly Rudd's orders are based on his own self interest in being re-elected. IT is a great pity that Rudd has placed his own self-interest ahead
of the interests of NSW and the people of NSW.
The Daily Telegraph reports:
LABOR Party bosses have been ordered to protect Premier Nathan Rees from a leadership challenge and "calm down NSW" to allow Kevin Rudd to call a
possible early election in the second half of this year.
Senior Labor sources claimed that the party's national secretary Karl Bitar and NSW secretary Matt Thistlethwaite have been told to put an immediate end to the
factional brawl in NSW ahead of a possible early election or double dissolution.
It comes as a planned meeting of about 20 disaffected right wing NSW Labor MPs led by Police Minister Tony Kelly and Health Minister John Della Bosca,
planned for yesterday, was abruptly cancelled.
The meeting was called last month at the height of speculation of a looming challenge to Mr Rees. The MPs planned to form a new right wing faction to challenge
Joe Tripodi and Eddie Obeid's dominance of the party,
But Labor sources claimed that Mr Bitar and Mr Thistlethwaite had been "working" on the MPs to try to calm tempers, acting on orders from Mr Rudd that the
brawling had to stop.
Simon Benson and Rhett Watson, Protect Rees, Rudd tells Labor MPs, 12 February 2009.
LET THE PEASANTS PAY
AS we understand it, when the GST (a new tax) was introduced one of the fundamental foundation stones for it's creation was that eventually it
and income tax were to be the only taxes community members would pay. Transaction taxes, particularly stamp duties levied by the states on
home purchases would eventually be abolished. However, in a new direction, the federal government has signed up to allow the states to keep
stamp duties (see Mark Davies, Rudd lets states off in deal on stamp duty, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 February, 2009).
The global financial market meltdown, which has been caused by the spivs and shysters who have greedily dined on the carcass of the peasants
for years, has also seen a complete about face in direction. In 2007 the argument was about whether the surplus built up by the federal
government was spent used by government spending or private spending in the form of tax cuts. That surplus has now gone up in smoke. The
federal government has embarked on a FD Roosevelt type infrastructure spending programme to pump prime the economy BUT now has gone
the full monty with it's $900 per taxpayer hand-out. The hand out was presumably a mixture of populist politics and a belief that infrastructure
projects, with their long lead times would not be enough to stimulate the economy quickly, but that a consumption peak would provide a much
quicker fix.
There will be little benefit to Australians in the consumption hike. Simply put, Australia no longer has a manufacturing base. The $900 to be spent
on items of the taxpayers choice, will mainly be spent on goods produced overseas. The $2 shops will do a roaring trade. The sweat shops of
Asia will receive an economic boost, courtesy of the Australian government and taxpayer like they have never seen before. Australian citizens will
be happy with their new products and feel all "warm and fuzzy". However, our trade deficit will blow out. Inflation will begin to take off.
Meanwhile the financial markets (including the banks) who created this mess will take no responsibility. They will continue to repossess homes
and throw mothers and children onto the streets. The greed, driven by the greedy spivs and shysters, that created this mess, will remain. The
peasants will pay. Macquarie Bank, which reportedly pays ex-Premier Carr $500,000 per year for "consultancy work" will continue on it's merry
way.
Nothing has really changed since the days of the Colosseum. Keep the peasants entertained (with consumption goods) so they don't think about
the real politics of the day. At least here in NSW we get a chance in 2011 to get rid of the spivs and shysters that are running this state. A little
ray of hope on the horizon. A chance for a new beginning.
NSW at the beginning of 2009 represents the state of hopelessness and hope, yet in a real conundrum inside the category of hopelessness
there is hope, and inside the hope there is a feeling of hopelessness.
NSW is hopeless because it is led by a Premier who is a real class act, clinging to power at the whim of Eddie Obeid and Joe Tripodi. Yet there is
hope, because these two so-called "power-brokers" have over-played their hands. By ditching Frank Sartor from the government, they have
unleashed a sentiment which is being assiduously pursued. Drip by drip - Tripodi and Obeid 's power base will be destroyed. With the destruction
of their power base - the real class act Premier will come crashing down, and Frank Sartor will be installed as the "white knight" Premier. The real
question on everyone's lips is how long this process will take and how much damage will be inflicted in the remaining 2 years of the Labor Party
governance of NSW.
For example Alex Mitchell wrote in an article titled NSW development transparency clouds over in crikey.com on 4 February 2009:-
One of NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor's legacies was the establishment of the Planning Assessment Commission, a seven-member independent body of
experts to give transparency and arms-length propriety to decisions on major developments..........Sartor persuaded Cabinet to adopt the Planning Assessment
Commission to create a Chinese wall between the minister and hotly contested major developments.
He then staffed the body with his own experts:........
When the names became public, the developers were appalled. For them, this was the panel from hell: it comprised people of the highest probity with the
toughest hides. The game was over. Or was it?
In late November, Sartor's novice successor, Kristina Keneally, MP for Heffron, issued a press release headed "Depoliticising Planning Decisions" announcing
that the PAC would only get to make the decisions on a very small and diminishing number of developments -- those where the developer had made a donation
or where the Minister personally had a conflict.
In the interests of "depoliticising decisions", the Minister would make over 90% of the private developer decisions, not the 20% Sartor had envisioned.
Sartor's 11th hour attempt to restore some transparency to the untrammeled powers of the Minister has been derailed and his much-vaunted PAC has been
rendered virtually redundant. How long before Keneally dismantles it?
On the other hand NSW represents a state of hope - with the virtual certainty of a change of government in 2 years time in March 2011. Two
years of course is a long time, and the hope is thus largely tempered. The best community members can do it would seem is treat the next 2
years like a bad dream, knowing it will last a long time and simply endure it, whilst attempting to concentrate on other things as a distraction from
the horror tale as it unfolds.
Yet within this distant hope there is a sense of hopelessness, personified by the mantra "In politics one side is as bad as the other". After all it is
rare to see a political practitioner who doesn't throw out any pretense of principle and succumb to the lure of the big extra salary, the chauffeur
driven car and the expansive offices.. It happened after the 2007 NSW state election. It will happen again. However, the mantra may not be
correct this time - after all, no government could be as bad as this current one, no matter how bad. The Rees government in 2009 represents the
"pits". Any government can easily rise above the Terrigals controlled Labor government. The mantra should change, on this occasion to " Don't
put unrealistic expectations on what the new NSW government will achieve". To at least put a brake on the culture of corruption that rulz at
present, would be an achievement in itself.
SOURCES:
Joe Must Go
Andrew Clennell, Tripodi tries to jump ship, is told to go jump, Sydney Morning Herald, 5 February 2009.
Andrew Clennell, Tripodi encouraged to leave politics, Sydney Morning Herald, 6 February 2008
Rats Jumping Ship
Andrew Clennell, Second Whelan takes redundancy , Sydney Morning Herald, 7 February 2009
Reluctant to join a sinking ship
Andrew Clennell, Job vacant: Treasury secretary, pays $440,000 a year, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 February,2009
Whan's Win - A Victory for Obeid/Tripodi - A Slap in the face for the class act
The rise and rise of Brother Robbo , Sydney Morning Herald, 30 January 2009.
TAMWORTH HOSPITAL - TAMWORTH"S "SPIT BRIDGE"
No matter which way you splice it or dice it, the redevelopment of Tamworth Hospital is shaping up to be Tamworth's "Spit Bridge".
Visitors to this site will recall how the redevelopment of the Spit Bridge in the city seat of Manly was a promise made by the Labor government,
designed to give the then member for Manly, David Barr, a talentless MP who had been elected to parliament on the basis of the endorsement
and support from the previous popular member for Manly Dr Peter McDonald, the best chance of being re-elected. The promise of the
redevelopment of the Spit Bridge was continually trotted out, particularly at election time, as an achievement of David Barr and to demonstrate
how he was able to gain benefits from the government of the day (Labor) for the electorate of Manly.
In one of the most cynical exercises in political expediency, going into the 2007 election the NSW government was in possession of a report that
made the promised re-development of the Spit Bridge, untenable. Despite being in possession of this report, the Labor government kept it
secret, with the electors of Manly voting at the 2007 poll with the belief that the Spit Bridge re-development believing that the much delayed re-
development would occur sometime in the future. The dishonesty demonstrated by the Iemma government in with-holding that report from the
electors, is mind boggling. Immediately after the election, when clearly the electors of Manly were fed up with the "carrot-on-a-stick" promise of
the Spit Bridge redevelopment ,that had been continuously held out to them over an extended period, and dumped David Barr, the Iemma
government finally came clean and announced the project would not be proceeding because of the recommendation contained in the report
which had been in the government's possession for a considerable period.
IT seems that Peter Draper MP (Tamworth) believes that this "carrot-on-a-stick" approach will ensure his re-election at the 2011 poll. He has sent
an email to this website stating he expects to be re-elected with a bigger majority than the one he received at the 2007 election when the Iemma
government guaranteed that the construction of a new Tamworth hospital would commence (whatever that means) by the end of 2010.
Events that have transpired have demonstrated that the Iemma government had never properly budgeted for that to occur, and the promise was
a cynical one designed to ensure their mate was re-elected in the seat of Tamworth.
Of course, the Iemma/Rees government have never had the guts to be upfront and honest with the people of Tamworth about this. First, despite
the costs of the construction of the hospital not being included in the forward estimates for NSW out to the year 2016, Iemma maintained his
promise would be fulfilled. Then after the Terrigals faction dumped Iemma and replaced him with Nathan Rees ( the class act Premier of NSW),
Rees blamed the global financial market meltdown for the inability of the NSW government to actually include the cost of the hospital in the
forward estimates, but still maintained the hospital would go ahead as promised. He stated he would be meeting with Peter Draper MP early in
2009 to come up with a plan. If such a meeting has been held, neither Rees or Draper have rushed into print via media release to advise the
people of Tamworth of the outcome of it. Indeed both have been deadly silent about the promised meeting, if one was held at all.
NOW we learn that, despite having promised to fund the new hospital, the Rees government simply cannot do so and are trying to shift the
responsibility and blame for the promise, to the Federal government, saying they have made application to the Rudd government to finance the
new Tamworth hospital. Simply put - it is more carrot-on-a-stick - held out to the people of Tamworth so that they can hold out hope of a new
hospital. Carrot-on-a-stick may keep people happy for the time being. However, ultimately in the end , like the Spit Bridge - it becomes a cruel
hoax perpetuated on the people.
THAT Peter Draper can stand by and allow this to happen is a real sign of the mettle of the man. IF he truly was interested in the welfare of the
people of Tamworth he would be in there boots and all fighting for the hospital. Instead it seems he is content to allow the fairy tale that the
"carrot-on-a-stick" approach represents to continue, possibly because he hopes it may result in his re-election in 2011 (indeed from his
messages to us believes it will result in his re-election with an increased majority).
Any politician who puts their own self interest ahead of the interests of the people, deserves the highest censure.
SOURCES :
Passing buck over hospital, Northern Daily Leader, 5 February 2009.
Absurd hospital game must end, Northern Daily Leader, 30 January 2009
Reminder of what can be done, Northern Daily Leader, 6 February 2009
Nioka project is up to us ... again, Northern Daily Leader, 2 February 2009.
MEET CHI CHI & BELLA
On Sunday 8 February 2008 we encountered 2 remarkable animals.
CHI CHI
Chi Chi is a 10 year old female talking Eclectus, who has a vast vocabulary and loves to engage in conversation.
BELLA
BELLA is an 8 week old female Bichon Frise puppy. She is named Bella because in the Slovenian language Bella means
"white" and in the Italian language it means "beautiful". Bella is definitely a white beauty.
KENEALLY IN THE FIRING LINE IN 2011
We have said before that we expect Kristina Keneally MP (Heffron) to be the first (possibly of many) ministers in the Labor government to be
blasted out of parliament at the March 2011 general election. We expect she will be gunned down by a high profile independent candidate.
Recent decisions by Kristina Keneally as NSW Minister for Planning, have provided further ammunition to those who seek to cut short her
political life in NSW. What drives this woman is not exactly known. What we do know however is that the Terrigals factional leaders insisted that
the former Planning minister, and now Labor leader and Premier aspirant, Frank Sartor MP (Rockdale), be dumped from the Rees ministry
because he failed to approve certain developments. We know that it was the Terrigals who delivered the numbers to Rees to become Premier.
We know that Rees is aware that he rules at the whim of the Terrigals. Indeed we know that Rees is well aware that the Terrigals are prepared to
use their strength, even if causes embarrassment to Rees, as demonstrated by the recent selection of the Terrigals member and Terrigals
supported MP, Steve Whan MP (Monaro) in the ballot for a vacant ministerial position, over the Rees supported candidate Paul Macleay. What
leader of a government in Australia today, other than NSW's class act Premier, would tolerate such an event, with it's resultant embarrassment
and humiliation ? It's a sure bet that the Terrrigals insisted that Keneally be appointed Planning minister to replace Sartor, and that Rees was too
weak to oppose such a demand. Keneally is a Terrigals sycophant.
1. Huntlee New Town
The Huntlee New Town development (near Branxton) was initially a project of Hardie Holdings which admitted it spent almost $500,000 in
donations over 7 years in order to secure "access" to NSW Labor MP's, to enable it to lobby for approval of it's project. Since obtaining an initial
approval in 2006, Hardie Holdings onsold a 75% interest in the project.
The project is opposed by many including Cessnock Council, the Roads & Traffic Authority and residents. This opposition apparently means
nothing to Keneally, who seemingly has fallen over herself to do the bidding for her bosses. Keneally has shown her true colours.
" Shadow Minister for Planning Brad Hazzard MP (Wakehurst) said on 11 February 2009:
" Community consultation and lack of infrastructure were ignored in the latest Part 3A approval of concept plans for a new township in
the Lower Hunter. State Labor has shown yet again it is committed to ignoring community concerns and making planning decisions that
lack local council support. The history of the approval of the Huntlee town development involves numerous meetings behind closed
doors and tame local Labor MPs failing to voice the community’s concerns. It is alleged that major Labor figures have been involved in
getting the development to the starting line. Labor has a history of questionable lobbying where the ‘whatever it takes’ principle is
applied. Coming on the back of the Wollongong corruption fiasco – it would have been logical for State Labor to adhere to principles of
transparency. “Instead decisions are being made behind closed doors and no consideration given to the views of the local community
on transport and road infrastructure needs."
SOURCES:
Housing decision sends shockwaves, Newcastle Herald, 11 February 2009.
ABC News, Green light for major ALP donor's town, ABC Radio, 10 February 2009
Julieanne Strachan, Boom town: state approves $1.8bn Huntlee project, Newcastle Herald, 11 February 2009
Council won't mince words over Huntlee, The Advertiser, 11 February 2009
Michelle Harris, RTA condemns traffic studies, Newcastle Herald, 11 February 2009.
2. Hill Top Shooting Range.
Lee Rhiannon MLC possibly had her finger on the pulse when she said on 9 February 2009:-
"Premier Nathan Rees should overrule Planning Minister Kristina Keneally's approval of the Southern Highlands Regional Shooting
Complex and instruct her to find a new location for the project. The approval of this shooting complex in the face of widespread
community opposition is another example of the unhealthy relationship between Labor and the Shooters Party.
It looks like another political fix between Labor and the Shooters Party. The NSW government gets the support of two crucial Shooters
Party votes in the Upper House while the people of the southern highlands get a shooting range most of them don't want. The Shooters
Party MPs have delivered reliable votes to the NSW Labor government on critical issues such as blocking the release of government
documents on the desalination plant, legislation approving the Olympic Park V8 car races, and stopping an inquiry into planning laws
and developers."
SOURCES:
Wendy Frew , Shooting range approval pleases no one, Sydney Morning Herald, 10 february 2009.
ABC News, Party takes aim at shooting complex hours, ABC Radio, 10 February 2009.
Robyn Murray, Gun deal pleases nobody, Southern Highland News, 11 February 2009
With the Terrigals apparently seeking absolute power, and not being satisfied with the dismal performance in the polls of their annointed (left
wing) Premier, and thus seeking to appoint one of their own to the top job, it is not surprising to hear reports that Kristina Keneally has "started
taking elocution lessons to tame her American accent just in case they come knocking to offer her the leadership ", according to an
article titled NSW Planning Minister Keneally romperstomps by Alex Mitchell at crikey.com on 11 February 2009.
Just goes to show how out of touch the Terrigals are with the real world (one comprised of real people - and not populated by spivs,shysters and
developers).
DOES THE NEW MARDI GRAS HAVE ANY RELEVANCE ???
The answer to that question is we believe a resounding NO, for many of the reasons set out in an article by Elizabeth Farrelly titled Mardi Gras
has become too straight for comfort, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 February 2009.
However, more importantly, the fact that New Mardi Gras is now in receipt of a NSW government grant to stage the annual event, means the soul
of the event has been mortally wounded. Struggle, self-reliance and a "f**k-you" attitude which so characterised the spirit of the event, has gone
forever.
REES GET's CO-INCIDENTAL PROTECTION
Whilst PM Rudd may have ordered the brawling in NSW Labor to stop to enable him a better chance in NSW in an early federal election later this
year, possibly a double dissolution, that order if implemented apart from helping Rudd has a number of detrimental "spin-off" effects for NSW:-
1. It ensures the retention of the class act Premier, Nathan Rees, as Premier until after the federal election. Simply put, Rees is a joke.
2. It ensures that the Terrigals remain firmly in control of the NSW government, and a break away group mooted as the Sensibles will be thwarted
in their attempts to usurp or at least diminish the power of the Terrigals, at least until after the federal election.
3. It ensures that Frank Sartor remains on the back bench and will be unable to challenge Rees, at least until after the federal election.
Clearly Rudd's orders are based on his own self interest in being re-elected. IT is a great pity that Rudd has placed his own self-interest ahead
of the interests of NSW and the people of NSW.
The Daily Telegraph reports:
LABOR Party bosses have been ordered to protect Premier Nathan Rees from a leadership challenge and "calm down NSW" to allow Kevin Rudd to call a
possible early election in the second half of this year.
Senior Labor sources claimed that the party's national secretary Karl Bitar and NSW secretary Matt Thistlethwaite have been told to put an immediate end to the
factional brawl in NSW ahead of a possible early election or double dissolution.
It comes as a planned meeting of about 20 disaffected right wing NSW Labor MPs led by Police Minister Tony Kelly and Health Minister John Della Bosca,
planned for yesterday, was abruptly cancelled.
The meeting was called last month at the height of speculation of a looming challenge to Mr Rees. The MPs planned to form a new right wing faction to challenge
Joe Tripodi and Eddie Obeid's dominance of the party,
But Labor sources claimed that Mr Bitar and Mr Thistlethwaite had been "working" on the MPs to try to calm tempers, acting on orders from Mr Rudd that the
brawling had to stop.
Simon Benson and Rhett Watson, Protect Rees, Rudd tells Labor MPs, 12 February 2009.
LET THE PEASANTS PAY
AS we understand it, when the GST (a new tax) was introduced one of the fundamental foundation stones for it's creation was that eventually it
and income tax were to be the only taxes community members would pay. Transaction taxes, particularly stamp duties levied by the states on
home purchases would eventually be abolished. However, in a new direction, the federal government has signed up to allow the states to keep
stamp duties (see Mark Davies, Rudd lets states off in deal on stamp duty, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 February, 2009).
The global financial market meltdown, which has been caused by the spivs and shysters who have greedily dined on the carcass of the peasants
for years, has also seen a complete about face in direction. In 2007 the argument was about whether the surplus built up by the federal
government was spent used by government spending or private spending in the form of tax cuts. That surplus has now gone up in smoke. The
federal government has embarked on a FD Roosevelt type infrastructure spending programme to pump prime the economy BUT now has gone
the full monty with it's $900 per taxpayer hand-out. The hand out was presumably a mixture of populist politics and a belief that infrastructure
projects, with their long lead times would not be enough to stimulate the economy quickly, but that a consumption peak would provide a much
quicker fix.
There will be little benefit to Australians in the consumption hike. Simply put, Australia no longer has a manufacturing base. The $900 to be spent
on items of the taxpayers choice, will mainly be spent on goods produced overseas. The $2 shops will do a roaring trade. The sweat shops of
Asia will receive an economic boost, courtesy of the Australian government and taxpayer like they have never seen before. Australian citizens will
be happy with their new products and feel all "warm and fuzzy". However, our trade deficit will blow out. Inflation will begin to take off.
Meanwhile the financial markets (including the banks) who created this mess will take no responsibility. They will continue to repossess homes
and throw mothers and children onto the streets. The greed, driven by the greedy spivs and shysters, that created this mess, will remain. The
peasants will pay. Macquarie Bank, which reportedly pays ex-Premier Carr $500,000 per year for "consultancy work" will continue on it's merry
way.
Nothing has really changed since the days of the Colosseum. Keep the peasants entertained (with consumption goods) so they don't think about
the real politics of the day. At least here in NSW we get a chance in 2011 to get rid of the spivs and shysters that are running this state. A little
ray of hope on the horizon. A chance for a new beginning.
