| JULY 2008 Pages - Page 3 |
| THIS IS PAGE 3 OF JULY 2008 PAGES - JULY0803 |
HUNTER PRIEST SEEKS POPE'S ATONEMENT FOR PEDOPHILES
Hunter based Newcastle Catholic Bishop Michael Malone wants the Pope to apologise to Australian sex abuse victims.
However his request has met with stoney silence.
A group of Hunter based sex abuse victims plan to protest during the Pope's visit to make a similar call, but following the
gazettal by the Iemma government of "annoyance" regulations, they are concerned that by protesting they may be
committing a criminal offence .
The NSW government has deliberately lied to the NSW community by claiming the Catholic Church requested the "annoyance" laws. However the
Church has rejected outright this outrageous claim that it made such a request.
Just another example of how the morally bankrupt NSW Labor government operates.
SOURCES :
Joanne McCarthy, A sorry silence , Newcastle Herald, 3 July 2008 .
Joanne McCarthy, T-shirt may be criminal , Newcastle Herald, 3 July 2008.
Annabel Stafford , Police tell victim groups how to protest , The Age, 2 July 2008.
Michael Pelly , Church's power request , The Australian, 2 July 2008.
WYD organisers 'didn't ask for rules' , Sydney Morning Herald, 2 July 2008.
Annoyance over WYD regulations spreads , CathNews, 3 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
Hunter based Newcastle Catholic Bishop Michael Malone wants the Pope to apologise to Australian sex abuse victims.
However his request has met with stoney silence.
A group of Hunter based sex abuse victims plan to protest during the Pope's visit to make a similar call, but following the
gazettal by the Iemma government of "annoyance" regulations, they are concerned that by protesting they may be
committing a criminal offence .
The NSW government has deliberately lied to the NSW community by claiming the Catholic Church requested the "annoyance" laws. However the
Church has rejected outright this outrageous claim that it made such a request.
Just another example of how the morally bankrupt NSW Labor government operates.
SOURCES :
Joanne McCarthy, A sorry silence , Newcastle Herald, 3 July 2008 .
Joanne McCarthy, T-shirt may be criminal , Newcastle Herald, 3 July 2008.
Annabel Stafford , Police tell victim groups how to protest , The Age, 2 July 2008.
Michael Pelly , Church's power request , The Australian, 2 July 2008.
WYD organisers 'didn't ask for rules' , Sydney Morning Herald, 2 July 2008.
Annoyance over WYD regulations spreads , CathNews, 3 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
IEMMA FLEES TO THE BUSH
Morris Iemma was supposed to front the Administrative Committee of the Labor Party in respect of a charge that he has
acted detrimentally to the interests of the Labor Party by pursuing (despite conference resolutions to the contrary) the
sell-off of NSW electricity assets.
The Daily Telegraph reports :
Mr Iemma has refused to face a meeting of the ALP's all-powerful Administrative Committee today to discuss the government's woes.
Despite being invited more than a month ago, Mr Iemma claimed he had commitments in regional NSW.
see : Joe Hildebrand, Labor Party refuse to preselect Neal for 2010 election , Daily Telegraph , 4 July 2008 , p.4.
OTHER SOURCES :
Andrew Clennell , Iemma too busy to meet party , Sydney Morning Herald , 4 July 2008.
PREMIER IEMMA WASHES HANDS OF RESPONSIBILITY - FLEES PARLIAMENT , June 2008 Pages page 24 , www.independent-nsw.com
HAS PRE-MATURE DISTEMPER TAKEN GRIP ? , Monthly News - January 2008 page 2 , www.independent-nsw.com
=================================================================================================================
Morris Iemma was supposed to front the Administrative Committee of the Labor Party in respect of a charge that he has
acted detrimentally to the interests of the Labor Party by pursuing (despite conference resolutions to the contrary) the
sell-off of NSW electricity assets.
The Daily Telegraph reports :
Mr Iemma has refused to face a meeting of the ALP's all-powerful Administrative Committee today to discuss the government's woes.
Despite being invited more than a month ago, Mr Iemma claimed he had commitments in regional NSW.
see : Joe Hildebrand, Labor Party refuse to preselect Neal for 2010 election , Daily Telegraph , 4 July 2008 , p.4.
OTHER SOURCES :
Andrew Clennell , Iemma too busy to meet party , Sydney Morning Herald , 4 July 2008.
PREMIER IEMMA WASHES HANDS OF RESPONSIBILITY - FLEES PARLIAMENT , June 2008 Pages page 24 , www.independent-nsw.com
HAS PRE-MATURE DISTEMPER TAKEN GRIP ? , Monthly News - January 2008 page 2 , www.independent-nsw.com
=================================================================================================================
BACK WITH A VENGEANCE !!!
Belinda Neal MP (Robertson - NSW federal) is back on the front page of the Daily Telegraph - after an absence for about a week.
Belinda Neal MP (Robertson - NSW federal) is back on the front page of the Daily Telegraph - after an absence for about a week.
MP WAGE FREEZE - SPIN OR SUBSTANCE ???
We have still been unable to locate a gazettal of a regulation under the federal Remuneration and Allowances Act nominating
a federal MP's salary as 95.8% of the Band A PEO salary.
As the salary of a NSW MP is set at $500.00 per year less than a federal MP's wage - it would seem that until such a
federal regulation is made - as from 1 July 2008 a NSW MP's salary will rise by 4.3%.
Meanwhile the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) is seeking a 5% wage increase but say the NSW government is only offering 2.5%, unless the
RTBU agrees to more than 400 job cuts.
SOURCES :
MP WAGE FREEZE NOT YET IN PLACE - June 2008 Pages page 35 , www.independent-nsw.com ,
MP's SALARIES - June 2008 Pages page 21 - www.independent-nsw.com
PRICES UP BUT NSW MP's ON TRACK FOR PAY RISE , June 2008 Pages page 25 - www.independent-nsw.com
Additional Reading :
ABC NEWS , Rail workers endorse industrial action , 3 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
We have still been unable to locate a gazettal of a regulation under the federal Remuneration and Allowances Act nominating
a federal MP's salary as 95.8% of the Band A PEO salary.
As the salary of a NSW MP is set at $500.00 per year less than a federal MP's wage - it would seem that until such a
federal regulation is made - as from 1 July 2008 a NSW MP's salary will rise by 4.3%.
Meanwhile the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) is seeking a 5% wage increase but say the NSW government is only offering 2.5%, unless the
RTBU agrees to more than 400 job cuts.
SOURCES :
MP WAGE FREEZE NOT YET IN PLACE - June 2008 Pages page 35 , www.independent-nsw.com ,
MP's SALARIES - June 2008 Pages page 21 - www.independent-nsw.com
PRICES UP BUT NSW MP's ON TRACK FOR PAY RISE , June 2008 Pages page 25 - www.independent-nsw.com
Additional Reading :
ABC NEWS , Rail workers endorse industrial action , 3 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
ROBYN KEMMIS RETIRES FROM SYDNEY CITY COUNCIL
Former Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will retire from
Sydney City Council at the September 2008 council elections and not seek re-election.
The Clover Moore Independent Team for the election comprises :-
* Clover Moore MP (Sydney) and present Lord Mayor.
* Councillor John McInerney - Architect and Town Planner , a former Planning Manager of Sydney City and also Melbourne.
* Councillor Marcelle Hoff - a psychotherapist/counsellor .
* Councillor Phillip Black - a Surry Hills businessman
* Di Tornai, vice-chairwoman of the Victoria Park Community Group,
* Robert Kok, chairman of the Chinese New Year Advisory Group;
* Andrew Duckmanton, a shop owner and president of the Darlinghurst Business Partnership
* John Wardle, a musician and Raise the Bar campaigner.
* Dr Lesley Lynch, of Glebe, a former school and university teacher.
If as expected, Lord Mayor Clover Moore wins the mayoral ballot, she will be eliminated from the Councillor ballot and her votes automatically
allocated to the person given No 2 on the ballot paper. AS the Clover Moore Independent Team are standing as a group - it is expected most
people will vote "above the line" - with all the group's votes being allocated to John McInerney.
There are 9 councillors to be elected in the Councillor ballot, and a Lord Mayor - giving Sydney City Council 10 councillors.
With a quota of 10.01% in the Council election, the Clover Moore Independent Team will need just over 40% of the vote to get 4 councillors
elected (making 5 on the Council - having to rely on the casting vote of the Lord Mayor to ensure motions are passed) or just over 50% to get 5
councillors elected (making 6 on the council).
SOURCES :
Mayor announces team for elections , Sydney Morning Herald, 4 July 2008.
Justin Vallejo, Moore predicts anger against Labor in council elections , Daily Telegraph, 4 July 2008
=================================================================================================================
Former Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will retire from
Sydney City Council at the September 2008 council elections and not seek re-election.
The Clover Moore Independent Team for the election comprises :-
* Clover Moore MP (Sydney) and present Lord Mayor.
* Councillor John McInerney - Architect and Town Planner , a former Planning Manager of Sydney City and also Melbourne.
* Councillor Marcelle Hoff - a psychotherapist/counsellor .
* Councillor Phillip Black - a Surry Hills businessman
* Di Tornai, vice-chairwoman of the Victoria Park Community Group,
* Robert Kok, chairman of the Chinese New Year Advisory Group;
* Andrew Duckmanton, a shop owner and president of the Darlinghurst Business Partnership
* John Wardle, a musician and Raise the Bar campaigner.
* Dr Lesley Lynch, of Glebe, a former school and university teacher.
If as expected, Lord Mayor Clover Moore wins the mayoral ballot, she will be eliminated from the Councillor ballot and her votes automatically
allocated to the person given No 2 on the ballot paper. AS the Clover Moore Independent Team are standing as a group - it is expected most
people will vote "above the line" - with all the group's votes being allocated to John McInerney.
There are 9 councillors to be elected in the Councillor ballot, and a Lord Mayor - giving Sydney City Council 10 councillors.
With a quota of 10.01% in the Council election, the Clover Moore Independent Team will need just over 40% of the vote to get 4 councillors
elected (making 5 on the Council - having to rely on the casting vote of the Lord Mayor to ensure motions are passed) or just over 50% to get 5
councillors elected (making 6 on the council).
SOURCES :
Mayor announces team for elections , Sydney Morning Herald, 4 July 2008.
Justin Vallejo, Moore predicts anger against Labor in council elections , Daily Telegraph, 4 July 2008
=================================================================================================================
IEMMA GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF ANOTHER COVER-UP
The Health Services Union , which represents ambulance officers, has accused the Iemma government of a cover-up.
A report, by Graeme Head - Director Performance Review within the Department of Premier and Cabinet - has painted a
picture of an inefficiently-run service plagued by bad debts, low morale and high sick leave among officers.
Organiser Peter Rumble is reported as saying :
"It's a total cover-up of the inefficiencies of the ambulance service and management of the CEO "
SOURCE :
Kate Sikora and Kara Lawrence , NSW Government's report angers Health Services Union , Daily Telegraph, 4 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
The Health Services Union , which represents ambulance officers, has accused the Iemma government of a cover-up.
A report, by Graeme Head - Director Performance Review within the Department of Premier and Cabinet - has painted a
picture of an inefficiently-run service plagued by bad debts, low morale and high sick leave among officers.
Organiser Peter Rumble is reported as saying :
"It's a total cover-up of the inefficiencies of the ambulance service and management of the CEO "
SOURCE :
Kate Sikora and Kara Lawrence , NSW Government's report angers Health Services Union , Daily Telegraph, 4 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
SHE LIVES !!!
Native Vegetation Vandal ???
The husband of Tamworth based Labor MLC Christine Robertson has been fined $3300 and ordered to replant a line of native trees he slashed
down on the October 2007 long weekend.
See : Simon Chamberlain, Trees Vandalised , Northern Daily Leader, 4 July 2008.
Bruce McDougall , Labor MP Christine Robertson's partner illegally cut trees , Daily Telegraph, 10 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
The husband of Tamworth based Labor MLC Christine Robertson has been fined $3300 and ordered to replant a line of native trees he slashed
down on the October 2007 long weekend.
See : Simon Chamberlain, Trees Vandalised , Northern Daily Leader, 4 July 2008.
Bruce McDougall , Labor MP Christine Robertson's partner illegally cut trees , Daily Telegraph, 10 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
BROWN GREEN -V- BLACK
In the Maitland City Council elections, the Greens have announced that John Brown will contest the mayoral ballot
under the Greens banner. He will be up against incumbent mayor, Peter Blackmore.
A team of independents will stand as a group for the councillor election, proclaiming " that major political parties do not
belong in local government".
That's a sentiment we fully share.
It's not the time now to enter into a detailed discussion of why we believe that. However we will briefly touch on some points.
Local government is basically about roads, rubbish and rates as well as gutters and footpaths. It is not really about political philosophies.
To be frank, it is a thankless task. Unfortunately, from time to time council's run off the rails (because of matters ranging from corruption to
incompetence).
Looking at it from the point of view of a political party - there is nothing to be gained from being on council and everything to lose. It never ceases
to amaze me why political party's continue to endorse candidates for councils.
SOURCES :
Briony Sneddon , Brown turns to Greens , Maitland Mercury , 1 July 2008.
Briony Sneddon , Independents team up , Maitland Mercury , 4 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
In the Maitland City Council elections, the Greens have announced that John Brown will contest the mayoral ballot
under the Greens banner. He will be up against incumbent mayor, Peter Blackmore.
A team of independents will stand as a group for the councillor election, proclaiming " that major political parties do not
belong in local government".
That's a sentiment we fully share.
It's not the time now to enter into a detailed discussion of why we believe that. However we will briefly touch on some points.
Local government is basically about roads, rubbish and rates as well as gutters and footpaths. It is not really about political philosophies.
To be frank, it is a thankless task. Unfortunately, from time to time council's run off the rails (because of matters ranging from corruption to
incompetence).
Looking at it from the point of view of a political party - there is nothing to be gained from being on council and everything to lose. It never ceases
to amaze me why political party's continue to endorse candidates for councils.
SOURCES :
Briony Sneddon , Brown turns to Greens , Maitland Mercury , 1 July 2008.
Briony Sneddon , Independents team up , Maitland Mercury , 4 July 2008.
=================================================================================================================
IT'S TIME TO DITCH the DITHERER
Regular readers will recall that we wrote to Premier Morris Iemma on 26 June 2008 :
I am writing to you because I cannot find answers to
my questions on the government's "Securing NSW Future
Electricity Supplies" website.
In relation to the preparation of a Rural Impact
Statement :
1. What body will prepare the RIS ?
2. Who are the persons who will make up the body ?
3. What are the terms of reference for the body ?
4. Will the body be accepting submissions from members
of the community ?
5. How does a community member contact the body ?
6. Will the body be conducting hearings around the
state and in rural and regional areas to receive oral
submissions ?
7. What is the date the body is required to deliver
the RIS to the government ?
As it turned out - the next day (27 June 2008) answers to most of those questions appeared on the sell-off website . So I wasn't too concerned
about getting a reply. In fact I didn't expect to receive a reply (I had not received a reply to previous communications , so why should I expect one
on this occasion ? ).
However, on 4 July 2008 I received this reply from one of the Premier's staff :
The Premier has received your recent email concerning the Electricity
Rural Impact Statement.
As the matter you have raised primarily concerns the administration of
the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy, Minister for
Mineral Resources, and Minister for State Development, the Hon I M
Macdonald, MLC, the Premier has arranged to bring your approach to the
Minister's attention.
You may be sure that your comments will receive close consideration.
So here we have a man, who is paid in excess of $300,000 per year by NSW taxpayers, who has the assistance of goodness knows how many
assistants in his office as well as a multi-million dollar "media-monitoring" service - who doesn't know what is going on in the government !!!
A simple reply would have sufficed -
"The information you seek is available on the "Securing NSW Future Electricity Supplies" website (reference
:http://www.nsw.gov.au/energy/index.aspx?id=a609c8ea-84da-439d-993e-ebee303606ba ) .
Thank you for your interest .
I remain your humble servant
MORRIS IEMMA
Premier "
IT'S TIME TO DITCH THE DITHERER and give someone else a chance to demonstrate they can do a better job .
SOURCES :
Email - Alex Turvey to Premier - 26 June 2008.
Email - Premiers Office to Alex Turvey - 4 July 2008.
Independent Rural Communities Impact Statement (RCIS) , on the NSW Government Securing the State's Electricity Supply - website [ online ]
RURAL IMPACT STATEMENT , June 2008 Pages page 34, www.independent-nsw.com
KEPT IN THE DARK and FED BULL***T , June 2008 Pages page 32 , www.independent-nsw.com
==================================================================================================================
Regular readers will recall that we wrote to Premier Morris Iemma on 26 June 2008 :
I am writing to you because I cannot find answers to
my questions on the government's "Securing NSW Future
Electricity Supplies" website.
In relation to the preparation of a Rural Impact
Statement :
1. What body will prepare the RIS ?
2. Who are the persons who will make up the body ?
3. What are the terms of reference for the body ?
4. Will the body be accepting submissions from members
of the community ?
5. How does a community member contact the body ?
6. Will the body be conducting hearings around the
state and in rural and regional areas to receive oral
submissions ?
7. What is the date the body is required to deliver
the RIS to the government ?
As it turned out - the next day (27 June 2008) answers to most of those questions appeared on the sell-off website . So I wasn't too concerned
about getting a reply. In fact I didn't expect to receive a reply (I had not received a reply to previous communications , so why should I expect one
on this occasion ? ).
However, on 4 July 2008 I received this reply from one of the Premier's staff :
The Premier has received your recent email concerning the Electricity
Rural Impact Statement.
As the matter you have raised primarily concerns the administration of
the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy, Minister for
Mineral Resources, and Minister for State Development, the Hon I M
Macdonald, MLC, the Premier has arranged to bring your approach to the
Minister's attention.
You may be sure that your comments will receive close consideration.
So here we have a man, who is paid in excess of $300,000 per year by NSW taxpayers, who has the assistance of goodness knows how many
assistants in his office as well as a multi-million dollar "media-monitoring" service - who doesn't know what is going on in the government !!!
A simple reply would have sufficed -
"The information you seek is available on the "Securing NSW Future Electricity Supplies" website (reference
:http://www.nsw.gov.au/energy/index.aspx?id=a609c8ea-84da-439d-993e-ebee303606ba ) .
Thank you for your interest .
I remain your humble servant
MORRIS IEMMA
Premier "
IT'S TIME TO DITCH THE DITHERER and give someone else a chance to demonstrate they can do a better job .
SOURCES :
Email - Alex Turvey to Premier - 26 June 2008.
Email - Premiers Office to Alex Turvey - 4 July 2008.
Independent Rural Communities Impact Statement (RCIS) , on the NSW Government Securing the State's Electricity Supply - website [ online ]
RURAL IMPACT STATEMENT , June 2008 Pages page 34, www.independent-nsw.com
KEPT IN THE DARK and FED BULL***T , June 2008 Pages page 32 , www.independent-nsw.com
==================================================================================================================
| NOTE : A denial by Belinda Neal and by Karl Bitar (NSW state secretary ALP) is contained in the Australian newspaper. Ms Neal is reported as saying : "No decision has been made in relation to my preselection. I can assure the electorate of Robertson that I will be seeking preselection and I feel quite confident that will be achieved." Mr Bitar is reported as saying : "We won't be conducting our federal preselection or making decisions until some time in 2009, following the outcome of the expected federal redistribution. There has been a lot of chatter about this issue. I can only put it down to sheer speculation ." see: Kim Christian , I'm here to stay - Neal , The Australian, 4 July 2008. |