| JUNE 2008 Pages - Page 35 |
| THIS IS PAGE 35 OF JUNE 2008 PAGES - JUNE0835 |
CHRISTINE ROBERTSON - SHE LIVES !!!
We have written before that the city of Tamworth in North-West NSW must have the highest number of politicians per capita in the state. This we
know because apart from the local member in the Legislative Assembly, Peter Draper MP (Tamworth) it has two members of the Legislative
Council - Christine Robertson MLC (Labor) and Trevor Khan MLC (Nationals).
Now recently, Trevor Khan has been in the local media - no doubt fearful that the promised new Tamworth Hospital would turn into another Spit
Bridge debacle. Spurred on by that, Peter Draper MP asked a question of the Premier in parliament about the hospital on 26 June 2008 ( Trevor
Khan had already asked a question of the Treasurer in Upper House on 24 June 2008).
What was perplexing was that Christine Robertson, whilst not a member of the government, but who is a member of the party that forms the
government, had not involved herself in the debate. Indeed in the 12 months to 27 June 2008 she has scored only 8 mentions in the local
paper, according to a name search carried out by us on the Northern Daily Leader website. Not having heard from Ms Robertson, we became a
little concerned for her welfare, but our fears were allayed when she was the source of information for a story on the Rural Impact Statement for
the electricity sell-off on 27 June 2008 : Country people to have their say on power sell-off .
Hallejulah - she lives !!! (we thought quietly). Which then reminded us of the hymn : He Lives - which has the chorus -
He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
We have written before that the city of Tamworth in North-West NSW must have the highest number of politicians per capita in the state. This we
know because apart from the local member in the Legislative Assembly, Peter Draper MP (Tamworth) it has two members of the Legislative
Council - Christine Robertson MLC (Labor) and Trevor Khan MLC (Nationals).
Now recently, Trevor Khan has been in the local media - no doubt fearful that the promised new Tamworth Hospital would turn into another Spit
Bridge debacle. Spurred on by that, Peter Draper MP asked a question of the Premier in parliament about the hospital on 26 June 2008 ( Trevor
Khan had already asked a question of the Treasurer in Upper House on 24 June 2008).
What was perplexing was that Christine Robertson, whilst not a member of the government, but who is a member of the party that forms the
government, had not involved herself in the debate. Indeed in the 12 months to 27 June 2008 she has scored only 8 mentions in the local
paper, according to a name search carried out by us on the Northern Daily Leader website. Not having heard from Ms Robertson, we became a
little concerned for her welfare, but our fears were allayed when she was the source of information for a story on the Rural Impact Statement for
the electricity sell-off on 27 June 2008 : Country people to have their say on power sell-off .
Hallejulah - she lives !!! (we thought quietly). Which then reminded us of the hymn : He Lives - which has the chorus -
He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
| JUNE 08 PAGE.... 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ,16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , |
MP WAGE FREEZE NOT YET IN PLACE
As at 25 June 2008 the regulation necessary to freeze federal MP's wages has not been printed in the Gazette.
We are very quickly ticking down to 1 July 2008.
We find it difficult to believe that the federal government would leave it to the last minute to introduce this important regulation.
So difficult - that we are starting to have self doubts. Has the regulation been made - but not yet gazetted ? Are our research skills - to borrow a
phrase from a politician - so "appallingly bad" we have failed to locate the regulation which was gazetted many moons ago ?
see :
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
=================================================================================================================
As at 25 June 2008 the regulation necessary to freeze federal MP's wages has not been printed in the Gazette.
We are very quickly ticking down to 1 July 2008.
We find it difficult to believe that the federal government would leave it to the last minute to introduce this important regulation.
So difficult - that we are starting to have self doubts. Has the regulation been made - but not yet gazetted ? Are our research skills - to borrow a
phrase from a politician - so "appallingly bad" we have failed to locate the regulation which was gazetted many moons ago ?
see :
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
=================================================================================================================
SPEAKERS IN WAITING ???
According to the Sydney Morning Herald Angela D'Amore MP (Drummoyne) and Karyn Paluzzano MP (Penrith) are to
accompany Speaker Richard Torbay and the Clerk Russell Grove on the trip to Malaysia to attend the
39th Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference.
Given the nature of the papers usually presented at the Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference - one has to wonder
whether Ms D'Amore (sister-in-law of Joe Tripodi) and Ms Paluzzano are being groomed for the top job - as Speakers-in-Waiting.
No doubt Ms D'Amore will enjoy the break away from being chained to her electorate office desk, studiously answering correspondence.
A very good report of the 38th Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference, which was held at Rarotonga, Cook Islands in 2007 is available from
the federal Parliament website [ online ] . The report was prepared by Senator John Hogg and is titled 38th Presiding Officers and Clerks
Conference, Raratonga , 7—14 July 2007. It was tabled in the Senate on 7 August 2007.
Last year (2007) NSW was represented at the conference by :
Richard TORBAY – Speaker
Russell GROVE – Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Amanda FAZIO MLC – Deputy President of Legislative Council
Lyn LOVELOCK – Clerk of the Legislative Council
Mrs Rosemary Torbay accompanied the delegation .
SOURCES :
Alexandra Smith , London high on list of MPs' itineraries , Sydney Morning Herald , 28 June 2008.
Parliament of Australia, Outgoing delegations and visits — 41st Parliament , 2007 [ online ]
Simon Chamberlain, Politicians toing -and- throwing overseas , Northern Daily Leader, 1 July 2008.
================================================================================================================
According to the Sydney Morning Herald Angela D'Amore MP (Drummoyne) and Karyn Paluzzano MP (Penrith) are to
accompany Speaker Richard Torbay and the Clerk Russell Grove on the trip to Malaysia to attend the
39th Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference.
Given the nature of the papers usually presented at the Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference - one has to wonder
whether Ms D'Amore (sister-in-law of Joe Tripodi) and Ms Paluzzano are being groomed for the top job - as Speakers-in-Waiting.
No doubt Ms D'Amore will enjoy the break away from being chained to her electorate office desk, studiously answering correspondence.
A very good report of the 38th Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference, which was held at Rarotonga, Cook Islands in 2007 is available from
the federal Parliament website [ online ] . The report was prepared by Senator John Hogg and is titled 38th Presiding Officers and Clerks
Conference, Raratonga , 7—14 July 2007. It was tabled in the Senate on 7 August 2007.
Last year (2007) NSW was represented at the conference by :
Richard TORBAY – Speaker
Russell GROVE – Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Amanda FAZIO MLC – Deputy President of Legislative Council
Lyn LOVELOCK – Clerk of the Legislative Council
Mrs Rosemary Torbay accompanied the delegation .
SOURCES :
Alexandra Smith , London high on list of MPs' itineraries , Sydney Morning Herald , 28 June 2008.
Parliament of Australia, Outgoing delegations and visits — 41st Parliament , 2007 [ online ]
Simon Chamberlain, Politicians toing -and- throwing overseas , Northern Daily Leader, 1 July 2008.
================================================================================================================
BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR MONARO
According to Steve Whan MP the 2008-09 allocation for the Monaro electorate was $129 million, the same amount that
Peter Draper MP reported as Tamworth's allocation and more than the $121 million Dawn Fardell MP reported for Dubbo and
the $124 million Richard Torbay reported for Northern Tablelands.
SOURCE :
NSW LA Hansard , Budget Estimates and Related Papers , 27 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
According to Steve Whan MP the 2008-09 allocation for the Monaro electorate was $129 million, the same amount that
Peter Draper MP reported as Tamworth's allocation and more than the $121 million Dawn Fardell MP reported for Dubbo and
the $124 million Richard Torbay reported for Northern Tablelands.
SOURCE :
NSW LA Hansard , Budget Estimates and Related Papers , 27 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
MACQUARIE FIELDS GETS MORE
According to Dr Andrew McDonald MP (Macquarie Fields) the electorate of Macquarie Fields did very well out of the 2008-09 budget , getting an
allocation close to $200 million.
SOURCE :
NSW LA Hansard , Budget Estimates and Related Papers , 27 June 2008.
===================================================================================
According to Dr Andrew McDonald MP (Macquarie Fields) the electorate of Macquarie Fields did very well out of the 2008-09 budget , getting an
allocation close to $200 million.
SOURCE :
NSW LA Hansard , Budget Estimates and Related Papers , 27 June 2008.
===================================================================================
HEWITT MEETS FEDERER IN 4th ROUND
Lleyton Hewitt beat Simone Bollelli in 3 sets - 6-1 , 6-3 , 7(7) - 6(2)
to move into he 4th where he meets No 1 seed Roger Federer of Sweden.
I was too greedy - and failed to trade out before the Bollelli match. Now I definitely want to trade out today.
At present Hewitt, despite his win, has eased out to $160.00 (Federer is $1.75). BUT greed has got the better of me -
I will put in a trade order at $100. IF it is matched I am happy . IF not and Hewitt beats Federer I will be ecstatic.
IF not, and Federer wins, I will only have lost my original stake (and kick myself for being greedy).
see : Hewitt to face Federer ,Brisbane Times , 28 June 2008 .
==================================================================================================================
Lleyton Hewitt beat Simone Bollelli in 3 sets - 6-1 , 6-3 , 7(7) - 6(2)
to move into he 4th where he meets No 1 seed Roger Federer of Sweden.
I was too greedy - and failed to trade out before the Bollelli match. Now I definitely want to trade out today.
At present Hewitt, despite his win, has eased out to $160.00 (Federer is $1.75). BUT greed has got the better of me -
I will put in a trade order at $100. IF it is matched I am happy . IF not and Hewitt beats Federer I will be ecstatic.
IF not, and Federer wins, I will only have lost my original stake (and kick myself for being greedy).
see : Hewitt to face Federer ,Brisbane Times , 28 June 2008 .
==================================================================================================================
GOLDEN AGE FOR AGRICULTURE ?
According to Emeritus Professor John Chudleigh Australia is about to embark on a golden age for
agriculture - particularly for grain.
Now last time I looked the shares in Australian Agricultural Company Ltd weren't travelling that well
(Peter Holmes a Court of South Sydney football club fame used to be heavily involved in the management).
They are currently trading at around $2.75 - after peaking in 2007 at about $3.40 .
AAC is mainly involved in beef production.
SOURCES :
Agriculture to revisit the golden age of the 1950s and 60s? , The Land, 27 June 2008.
According to Emeritus Professor John Chudleigh Australia is about to embark on a golden age for
agriculture - particularly for grain.
Now last time I looked the shares in Australian Agricultural Company Ltd weren't travelling that well
(Peter Holmes a Court of South Sydney football club fame used to be heavily involved in the management).
They are currently trading at around $2.75 - after peaking in 2007 at about $3.40 .
AAC is mainly involved in beef production.
SOURCES :
Agriculture to revisit the golden age of the 1950s and 60s? , The Land, 27 June 2008.
NSW GOVT - GIVING MONEY AWAY AS IF IT GREW ON TREES
NSW taxpayers will pay a costs order made against the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change in the Land and Environment Court
in a case where the Department was successful in getting an adjournment of a prosecution against a Walgett farmer for allegedly clearing land
illegally, but were ordered to pay the costs thrown away by aborting the hearing at the last minute.
The farmer's solicitor Paul McGirr said the costs order would be in the vicinity of $30,000.
see : Lucy Skuthorp, NSW Government forced to pay costs in land clearing case , The Land, 27 June 2008.
==================================================================================================================
NSW taxpayers will pay a costs order made against the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change in the Land and Environment Court
in a case where the Department was successful in getting an adjournment of a prosecution against a Walgett farmer for allegedly clearing land
illegally, but were ordered to pay the costs thrown away by aborting the hearing at the last minute.
The farmer's solicitor Paul McGirr said the costs order would be in the vicinity of $30,000.
see : Lucy Skuthorp, NSW Government forced to pay costs in land clearing case , The Land, 27 June 2008.
==================================================================================================================
MOREE POLICE STATION IN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
Commander of Barwon LAC Wayne Starling is excited because a new Police Station at Moree is listed in the
State Infrastructure Plan.
We don't like to pour cold water on his excitement - but the fact it is in the SIP - probably means diddly squat.
see : Cady Andersen, Moree Police Station could receive $10 million facelift , 24 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
Commander of Barwon LAC Wayne Starling is excited because a new Police Station at Moree is listed in the
State Infrastructure Plan.
We don't like to pour cold water on his excitement - but the fact it is in the SIP - probably means diddly squat.
see : Cady Andersen, Moree Police Station could receive $10 million facelift , 24 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
AUSTRALIAN ARTISTIC ENDEAVOUR - OR IMITATION ???
Under Mulga Wood is an adaptation of Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood - designed for Australian voices,
set in a small country town called Goadabuggerai in the 1960's.
It begins :
"It's a dead still, dry season, never-never night in the small town of Goadabuggerai; not a star for the
askin', it's tarblack as far back as the blind eye can't see......
It was written by Dr William Christie.
Daniel Lewis wrote an article in the Sydney Morning Herald comparing it to the original , on 25 October 2003.
Dylan's delight .
The ABC have recorded it. [ see Airplay - 25/08/2005 ]
It was performed at Balgowlah RSL in 2005. { see arts connect website ONLINE ]
The script is available from the Australian Script Centre [ ONLINE ]
Other media mentions :
Under Mulga Wood
Some weeks ago, this column broke the news that, on the 50th anniversary of Dylan Thomas's death, Will Christie had recast Thomas's
Under Milk Wood into an Australian setting. Under Mulga Wood - like Milk, a work written to be performed by voice - begins with
homage to its predecessor. "Let's start from scratch: It's a dead still, dry season, never-never night in the small town of Goadabuggerai;
not a star for the askin', it's tarblack as far back as the blind eye can't see and dark as a blackfella's navel." Beautiful. The Spotlight
team became so excited by this news that we failed to accurately notify readers of the performance date. Under Mulga Wood will be
performed this Sunday. Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli .
Ben Cubby., Spotlight, Sydney Morning Herald, 23 September, 2004. p. 23
Under Mulga Wood
The 11th annual Coolac Festival of Fun starts on Saturday with the premiere of the new play by Will Christie. Set in 1960 in the small
NSW town of Goadabuggerai, the play follows a similar format to Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood.
Genevieve Swart, Mark Hopkins, Peter McCallum, Bryce Hallett, Lenny Ann Low, Bruce Elder, Bonnie Malkin, Michael Idato, Bernard Zuel, The
Planner, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 February, 2004. p. 10.
TO view a Youtube video about the 'Under Mulga Wood' Project go [ HERE ]
=================================================================================================================
Under Mulga Wood is an adaptation of Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood - designed for Australian voices,
set in a small country town called Goadabuggerai in the 1960's.
It begins :
"It's a dead still, dry season, never-never night in the small town of Goadabuggerai; not a star for the
askin', it's tarblack as far back as the blind eye can't see......
It was written by Dr William Christie.
Daniel Lewis wrote an article in the Sydney Morning Herald comparing it to the original , on 25 October 2003.
Dylan's delight .
The ABC have recorded it. [ see Airplay - 25/08/2005 ]
It was performed at Balgowlah RSL in 2005. { see arts connect website ONLINE ]
The script is available from the Australian Script Centre [ ONLINE ]
Other media mentions :
Under Mulga Wood
Some weeks ago, this column broke the news that, on the 50th anniversary of Dylan Thomas's death, Will Christie had recast Thomas's
Under Milk Wood into an Australian setting. Under Mulga Wood - like Milk, a work written to be performed by voice - begins with
homage to its predecessor. "Let's start from scratch: It's a dead still, dry season, never-never night in the small town of Goadabuggerai;
not a star for the askin', it's tarblack as far back as the blind eye can't see and dark as a blackfella's navel." Beautiful. The Spotlight
team became so excited by this news that we failed to accurately notify readers of the performance date. Under Mulga Wood will be
performed this Sunday. Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli .
Ben Cubby., Spotlight, Sydney Morning Herald, 23 September, 2004. p. 23
Under Mulga Wood
The 11th annual Coolac Festival of Fun starts on Saturday with the premiere of the new play by Will Christie. Set in 1960 in the small
NSW town of Goadabuggerai, the play follows a similar format to Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood.
Genevieve Swart, Mark Hopkins, Peter McCallum, Bryce Hallett, Lenny Ann Low, Bruce Elder, Bonnie Malkin, Michael Idato, Bernard Zuel, The
Planner, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 February, 2004. p. 10.
TO view a Youtube video about the 'Under Mulga Wood' Project go [ HERE ]
=================================================================================================================
STILL OFF the FRONT PAGE : 29/06/2008 |
| 30/06/08 |
IEMMA FAILS TO STEM THE SLIDE
IT seems voters have passed their verdict on the Premiership of Morris Iemma. The opinion of voters
is graphically illustrated by the pic (right).
A Sun-Herald/Taverner Poll published on 29 June 2008 shows NSW Labor has 28% support, 79%
oppose the proposed electricity sell-off and 54% rate the Iemma governments performance as poor.
Some Labor MPs are discussing re-shuffling Premier Iemma out of the leadership role in NSW.
We started the month of June 2008 by asking whether June 2008 was to be the start of Iemma's winter of discontent . Put simply,there is no
reason to think otherwise.
SOURCES :
Lisa Carty, Jittery Labor MPs get ready to dump Iemma , Sun Herald , 29 June, 2008. p. 9 .
Lisa Carty, O'Farrell the new drover's dog , Sun Herald , 29 June, 2008. p. 55.
Brian Robins , Poll adds to string of bad news for Iemma , Sydney Morning Herald, 30 June 2008.
Pressure builds on Morris Iemma from within Labor , The Australian, 29 June 2008.
ABC News, Poor polling 'a call to action' , 29 June 2008.
Linda Silmalis , Premier Morris Iemma is on the way out , 29 June 2008.
Rudd throws support behind Iemma ,SBS News, 29 June 2008.
Wendy Frew , Loophole will leave voters in dark on council campaign donations , Sydney Morning Herald, 30 June 2008.
Clare Masters and Clementine Cuneo , Morris Iemma determined to tough out Iguanas-gate ,Daily Telegraph, 30 June 2008.
IT seems voters have passed their verdict on the Premiership of Morris Iemma. The opinion of voters
is graphically illustrated by the pic (right).
A Sun-Herald/Taverner Poll published on 29 June 2008 shows NSW Labor has 28% support, 79%
oppose the proposed electricity sell-off and 54% rate the Iemma governments performance as poor.
Some Labor MPs are discussing re-shuffling Premier Iemma out of the leadership role in NSW.
We started the month of June 2008 by asking whether June 2008 was to be the start of Iemma's winter of discontent . Put simply,there is no
reason to think otherwise.
SOURCES :
Lisa Carty, Jittery Labor MPs get ready to dump Iemma , Sun Herald , 29 June, 2008. p. 9 .
Lisa Carty, O'Farrell the new drover's dog , Sun Herald , 29 June, 2008. p. 55.
Brian Robins , Poll adds to string of bad news for Iemma , Sydney Morning Herald, 30 June 2008.
Pressure builds on Morris Iemma from within Labor , The Australian, 29 June 2008.
ABC News, Poor polling 'a call to action' , 29 June 2008.
Linda Silmalis , Premier Morris Iemma is on the way out , 29 June 2008.
Rudd throws support behind Iemma ,SBS News, 29 June 2008.
Wendy Frew , Loophole will leave voters in dark on council campaign donations , Sydney Morning Herald, 30 June 2008.
Clare Masters and Clementine Cuneo , Morris Iemma determined to tough out Iguanas-gate ,Daily Telegraph, 30 June 2008.
