| MONTHLY NEWS - December 2007 |
| THIS IS PAGE 17 OF DECEMBER 2007 MONTHLY NEWS - MonNewsDEC17 |
TORBAY SAYS ....AND DRAPER AGREES
“This is another example of the Government treating country people as second class citizens,”
Mr Torbay said.
He believes strong public opposition may well be the only way to prevent the privatisation going ahead.
Mr Torbay said the sale was a “ploy” – similar to the former Howard Government’s sale of Telstra –
to raise cash.
Mr Draper was also critical of “protection” packages targeting workers likely to be affected by the sale of
electricity retailers Country Energy, EnergyAustralia and Integral Energy. He described them as
smokescreens designed to create the illusion jobs were safe and consumers were protected.
WHY BOTHER TELLING US ? YOU NEED TO BE TELLING MORRIS IEMMA WHAT YOU THINK.
IF THE SELL-OFF REQUIRES LEGISLATION - THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY IS A HOPELESS PLACE FROM WHICH TO OPPOSE IT.
PURE WEIGHT OF NUMBERS WILL SEE THE LEGISLATION RAMMED THROUGH. (ONE OPPONENT OF THE LEGISLATION WILL NOT
HAVE A VOTE - HE WILL BE PRESIDING OVER THE VOTE COUNT).
BUT IN THE UPPER HOUSE IT'S A DIFFERENT MATTER. THE IEMMA GOVERNMENT CAN'T GET IT's LEGISLATION PASSED
WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM NON-GOVERNMENT MLC's. THE UPPER HOUSE IS THE REAL BRAKE ON IEMMA' s IRRESPONSIBILITY.
CLEARLY IN NSW THE UPPER HOUSE IS THE HAPPENING PLACE.
HAS IEMMA's PROGRAMME OF DELIBERATELY BUYING OFF FRED NILE USING TAXPAYERS MONEY WORKED ?
IS FRED NILE PREPARED TO SELL HIS SOUL FOR A FEW SCHEKELS ???
SOURCE :
Jacqueline van Aanholt, MPs reject power sell-out, Northern Daily Leader, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
==============================================================================================================
“This is another example of the Government treating country people as second class citizens,”
Mr Torbay said.
He believes strong public opposition may well be the only way to prevent the privatisation going ahead.
Mr Torbay said the sale was a “ploy” – similar to the former Howard Government’s sale of Telstra –
to raise cash.
Mr Draper was also critical of “protection” packages targeting workers likely to be affected by the sale of
electricity retailers Country Energy, EnergyAustralia and Integral Energy. He described them as
smokescreens designed to create the illusion jobs were safe and consumers were protected.
WHY BOTHER TELLING US ? YOU NEED TO BE TELLING MORRIS IEMMA WHAT YOU THINK.
IF THE SELL-OFF REQUIRES LEGISLATION - THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY IS A HOPELESS PLACE FROM WHICH TO OPPOSE IT.
PURE WEIGHT OF NUMBERS WILL SEE THE LEGISLATION RAMMED THROUGH. (ONE OPPONENT OF THE LEGISLATION WILL NOT
HAVE A VOTE - HE WILL BE PRESIDING OVER THE VOTE COUNT).
BUT IN THE UPPER HOUSE IT'S A DIFFERENT MATTER. THE IEMMA GOVERNMENT CAN'T GET IT's LEGISLATION PASSED
WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM NON-GOVERNMENT MLC's. THE UPPER HOUSE IS THE REAL BRAKE ON IEMMA' s IRRESPONSIBILITY.
CLEARLY IN NSW THE UPPER HOUSE IS THE HAPPENING PLACE.
HAS IEMMA's PROGRAMME OF DELIBERATELY BUYING OFF FRED NILE USING TAXPAYERS MONEY WORKED ?
IS FRED NILE PREPARED TO SELL HIS SOUL FOR A FEW SCHEKELS ???
SOURCE :
Jacqueline van Aanholt, MPs reject power sell-out, Northern Daily Leader, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
==============================================================================================================
OBESITY - NAME and SHAME
When we started our Obesity - Name and Shame page [ here ] - limited to Legislative Assembly MP's only
(we did not want to extend it to the Upper House for fear of being knocked over in a deluge of nominations) -
we did not know that we were starting a nation wide trend.
The Rudd government has obviously picked up on our idea and will be introducing body mass index testing for
4 year olds [ online ] and airlines seem set to introduce double fares for obese passengers [ online ].
SOURCES :
Natasha Wallace Health Reporter. Weight check for every child at four years, Sydney Morning Herald,
12 December 2007 p. [ online ]
Obese should buy two plane seats: survey, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 December 2007 [ online ]
Kate Sikora, Health Reporter, Obesity tests for all kids, Daily Telegraph, 12 December 2007 p.1 [ online ]
=============================================================================================================
When we started our Obesity - Name and Shame page [ here ] - limited to Legislative Assembly MP's only
(we did not want to extend it to the Upper House for fear of being knocked over in a deluge of nominations) -
we did not know that we were starting a nation wide trend.
The Rudd government has obviously picked up on our idea and will be introducing body mass index testing for
4 year olds [ online ] and airlines seem set to introduce double fares for obese passengers [ online ].
SOURCES :
Natasha Wallace Health Reporter. Weight check for every child at four years, Sydney Morning Herald,
12 December 2007 p. [ online ]
Obese should buy two plane seats: survey, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 December 2007 [ online ]
Kate Sikora, Health Reporter, Obesity tests for all kids, Daily Telegraph, 12 December 2007 p.1 [ online ]
=============================================================================================================
FIRST "VICTIM" OF CAPE YORK SEX CASE HUNG ON THE TROPHY WALL
Hettie Johnston and her band of merry "victim" hunters will be pleased they have got another head to hang
on their trophy wall with the prosecutor in the Cape York sex case "stood down", pending an investigation.
Now the prosecutor was pretty easy pickings for the 'victim' hunters. Of course, the trophy they really want to
hang in pride of place on their trophy wall is that of Judge Sarah Bradley. However, that is a much more
difficult scalp to get. But that will not stop Hettie Johnson and her band of merry "victim" hunters from trying.
Apparently, an appeal has been lodged by the Crown against he leniency of the sentence - according to
The Times of London.
A reader of the Times Online has left the following comment :-
Note to pedophiles of the world: it's not a crime to have sex with a child in Australia if you can get him or her to agree.
So when all your minerals run out, Aussies, you can count on the pervs to make up the difference
Sammy, Chicago, USA
Ahhhh, ignorance is a great fuel to feed moral indignation.
SOURCES :
Cosima Marriner, Prosecutor in child rape case stood aside,Sydney Morning Herald, 12 December 2007 p. [ online ]
Jenny Booth, Appeal lodged over 'lenient' Aboriginal rape sentences, Times Online , 11 December 2007 [ online ]
Kevin Meade , Judge's tough talk on child sex, The Australian, 12 December 2007 p. [ online ]
Tony Koch, Officials failed by not fulfilling their sworn duty , The Australian, 12 December 2007 p. [ online ]
=============================================================================================================
Hettie Johnston and her band of merry "victim" hunters will be pleased they have got another head to hang
on their trophy wall with the prosecutor in the Cape York sex case "stood down", pending an investigation.
Now the prosecutor was pretty easy pickings for the 'victim' hunters. Of course, the trophy they really want to
hang in pride of place on their trophy wall is that of Judge Sarah Bradley. However, that is a much more
difficult scalp to get. But that will not stop Hettie Johnson and her band of merry "victim" hunters from trying.
Apparently, an appeal has been lodged by the Crown against he leniency of the sentence - according to
The Times of London.
A reader of the Times Online has left the following comment :-
Note to pedophiles of the world: it's not a crime to have sex with a child in Australia if you can get him or her to agree.
So when all your minerals run out, Aussies, you can count on the pervs to make up the difference
Sammy, Chicago, USA
Ahhhh, ignorance is a great fuel to feed moral indignation.
SOURCES :
Cosima Marriner, Prosecutor in child rape case stood aside,Sydney Morning Herald, 12 December 2007 p. [ online ]
Jenny Booth, Appeal lodged over 'lenient' Aboriginal rape sentences, Times Online , 11 December 2007 [ online ]
Kevin Meade , Judge's tough talk on child sex, The Australian, 12 December 2007 p. [ online ]
Tony Koch, Officials failed by not fulfilling their sworn duty , The Australian, 12 December 2007 p. [ online ]
=============================================================================================================
HILDEBRAND IS DESPERATE FOR A STORY
PREMIER Morris Iemma's leadership is under direct attack from within his own party, with moves
afoot to recall the ALP's powerful state executive and scuttle his bold power sell-off.
YEAH - and pigs might fly.
SOURCE :
Joe Hildebrand, Writing on wall for Morris , Daily Telegraph, 12 December 2007 p. [ online ]
Brad Norington & Imre Salusinszky, Iemma set for power battle, The Australian, 12 December 2007 p. [online]
FOOTNOTE : We wuz wrong - this story was deadly accurate . Iemma resigned in September 2008.
=============================================================================================================
PREMIER Morris Iemma's leadership is under direct attack from within his own party, with moves
afoot to recall the ALP's powerful state executive and scuttle his bold power sell-off.
YEAH - and pigs might fly.
SOURCE :
Joe Hildebrand, Writing on wall for Morris , Daily Telegraph, 12 December 2007 p. [ online ]
Brad Norington & Imre Salusinszky, Iemma set for power battle, The Australian, 12 December 2007 p. [online]
FOOTNOTE : We wuz wrong - this story was deadly accurate . Iemma resigned in September 2008.
=============================================================================================================
BAIL REFUSED TO MAN ON MURDER CHARGE
Troye Jarrod Miiller, 33, was refused bail in the Albury Local Court charged with his father’s murder.
The case was adjourned to 4 February 2008.
He was ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment. Police alleged he had a history of schizophrenia and
bipolar disorder.
The police alleged just after 11pm on 3 December 2007 Troye Miiller marched towards his father, Stephen Miiller,
brandishing a knife and a hammer. Troye Miller had a blank look on his face. It is alleged he said to his father ;
“You’re the demon, you’re the devil, you’ve got to die” before proceeding to hit him on the head with a hammer
and repeatedly stabbing him.
The accused's mother tried to prevent the attack. It is alleged the accused said to her, “We have to get out of here, we’re not safe”. He put
his hand on his mother and said “Don’t worry, mum, I’ll never hurt you”.
SOURCE :
I thought Dad was the devil, The Border Mail, 11 December 2007 [ online ]
Murder Most Vile, December 2007 News page 9, www.independent-nsw.com [ here ]
=============================================================================================================
Troye Jarrod Miiller, 33, was refused bail in the Albury Local Court charged with his father’s murder.
The case was adjourned to 4 February 2008.
He was ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment. Police alleged he had a history of schizophrenia and
bipolar disorder.
The police alleged just after 11pm on 3 December 2007 Troye Miiller marched towards his father, Stephen Miiller,
brandishing a knife and a hammer. Troye Miller had a blank look on his face. It is alleged he said to his father ;
“You’re the demon, you’re the devil, you’ve got to die” before proceeding to hit him on the head with a hammer
and repeatedly stabbing him.
The accused's mother tried to prevent the attack. It is alleged the accused said to her, “We have to get out of here, we’re not safe”. He put
his hand on his mother and said “Don’t worry, mum, I’ll never hurt you”.
SOURCE :
I thought Dad was the devil, The Border Mail, 11 December 2007 [ online ]
Murder Most Vile, December 2007 News page 9, www.independent-nsw.com [ here ]
=============================================================================================================
TORBAY IS A MEMBER OF THE NSW GOVERNMENT ???
It seems that the good burghers of Inverell are being led to believe that Richard Torbay MP is a member of the
NSW Iemma government.
Each year a musical event called Opera in the Paddock is held at Delungra. The Inverell Times newspaper reports in relation
to the 2008 event :
New England Credit Union will once again offer its support through the sale of tickets in all branches. Other sponsors include the
Inverell Shire Council and Inverell Tourism, the Ministry for the Arts through Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay,
Allianz insurance, Malachite Resources, the Department of Regional and State Development, QantasLink, Country Energy and the
German Consulate.
It is strange that the Ministry for the Arts , which normally operates through the Minister for the Arts , Frank Sartor MP, has now taken to taking
directions from Richard Torbay MP.
For example in the 2007 year there was a list of 2007 Cultural Grants Approved by the Minister for the Arts, which set out details of the
Cultural Grants Program by which the NSW Government, through Arts NSW, distributed funds to various organisations. Included in the list was
this grant :
Arts North West Inc for WB & PS Blyth $7,500 towards Opera in the Paddock 2007.
It would seem from the report in the Inverell Times that in 2008, the grant to Opera in the Paddock was not, as in previous years approved by
the Minister for Arts, but through Richard Torbay MP.
Accordingly, it seems reasonable to assume that Richard Torbay MP is a member of the NSW government ,(although contesting ballots under
the nomenclature of "independent") - and has taken over the functions to some extent of Frank Sartor MP.
However, it appears, that the Department of Regional and State Development continues to operate through it's official Iemma government
ministers. Which minister was responsible for approving the sponsorship of Opera in the Paddock by DRSD is not known to us - it could have
been any one or more of :
Ian Macdonald MLC ,- in capacity of Minister for State Development
Tony Kelly MLC, -in capacity of Minister for Regional Development
Joe Tripodi MP,- in capacity of Minister for Small Business
Matthew Brown MP , -in capacity of Minister for Tourism
Verity Firth MP, - incapacity of Minister for Science and Medical Research
Postscript - Actually the "person" who provided the funding was not Mr Torbay, nor Mr Sartor but "the taxpayers of NSW"
SOURCE :
Opera spreads its wings for 2008, Inverell Times, 11 December 2007 [ online ]
2007 Cultural Grants Approved by the Minister for the Arts [ online ] pdf format
============================================================================================================
It seems that the good burghers of Inverell are being led to believe that Richard Torbay MP is a member of the
NSW Iemma government.
Each year a musical event called Opera in the Paddock is held at Delungra. The Inverell Times newspaper reports in relation
to the 2008 event :
New England Credit Union will once again offer its support through the sale of tickets in all branches. Other sponsors include the
Inverell Shire Council and Inverell Tourism, the Ministry for the Arts through Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay,
Allianz insurance, Malachite Resources, the Department of Regional and State Development, QantasLink, Country Energy and the
German Consulate.
It is strange that the Ministry for the Arts , which normally operates through the Minister for the Arts , Frank Sartor MP, has now taken to taking
directions from Richard Torbay MP.
For example in the 2007 year there was a list of 2007 Cultural Grants Approved by the Minister for the Arts, which set out details of the
Cultural Grants Program by which the NSW Government, through Arts NSW, distributed funds to various organisations. Included in the list was
this grant :
Arts North West Inc for WB & PS Blyth $7,500 towards Opera in the Paddock 2007.
It would seem from the report in the Inverell Times that in 2008, the grant to Opera in the Paddock was not, as in previous years approved by
the Minister for Arts, but through Richard Torbay MP.
Accordingly, it seems reasonable to assume that Richard Torbay MP is a member of the NSW government ,(although contesting ballots under
the nomenclature of "independent") - and has taken over the functions to some extent of Frank Sartor MP.
However, it appears, that the Department of Regional and State Development continues to operate through it's official Iemma government
ministers. Which minister was responsible for approving the sponsorship of Opera in the Paddock by DRSD is not known to us - it could have
been any one or more of :
Ian Macdonald MLC ,- in capacity of Minister for State Development
Tony Kelly MLC, -in capacity of Minister for Regional Development
Joe Tripodi MP,- in capacity of Minister for Small Business
Matthew Brown MP , -in capacity of Minister for Tourism
Verity Firth MP, - incapacity of Minister for Science and Medical Research
Postscript - Actually the "person" who provided the funding was not Mr Torbay, nor Mr Sartor but "the taxpayers of NSW"
SOURCE :
Opera spreads its wings for 2008, Inverell Times, 11 December 2007 [ online ]
2007 Cultural Grants Approved by the Minister for the Arts [ online ] pdf format
============================================================================================================
SIMON SAYS.....
In his blog on 11 December 2007 Simon Benson at the Daily Telegraph says :-
MORRIS Iemma and Michael Costa have succeeded where Bob Carr and Michael Egan failed. So far.....
........opposition to privatisation this time around.
‘’It was not about electricity, it was a vendetta against Morris,” said a senior Labor MP.
“It wasn’t ideology. It was payback.”
That payback, it has been suggested, was for dumping the NUW’s man, Gibson, from the Ministry in March.
..........
Many have been questioning Iemma’s ticker, his mettle to have a fight and see it through.
That has been answered in spades with his determination to crash or crash through on privatisation.
For Iemma and Costa it is ideology. And they have staked their future on it by putting their money where their mouth is - linking
road, rail, health and education spending on the sale.
Its more than their opponents have been willing to risk in this fight and is why they will end up winning it.
AHHH...Mr Benon sees only half the picture. Morris Iemma may have won this fight ...but in doing so he has shown his real face. The mask
has been stripped away.
see :Simon Benson, Iemma shows political spark, Simon Benson Blog, Daily Telegraph, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
============================================================================================================
In his blog on 11 December 2007 Simon Benson at the Daily Telegraph says :-
MORRIS Iemma and Michael Costa have succeeded where Bob Carr and Michael Egan failed. So far.....
........opposition to privatisation this time around.
‘’It was not about electricity, it was a vendetta against Morris,” said a senior Labor MP.
“It wasn’t ideology. It was payback.”
That payback, it has been suggested, was for dumping the NUW’s man, Gibson, from the Ministry in March.
..........
Many have been questioning Iemma’s ticker, his mettle to have a fight and see it through.
That has been answered in spades with his determination to crash or crash through on privatisation.
For Iemma and Costa it is ideology. And they have staked their future on it by putting their money where their mouth is - linking
road, rail, health and education spending on the sale.
Its more than their opponents have been willing to risk in this fight and is why they will end up winning it.
AHHH...Mr Benon sees only half the picture. Morris Iemma may have won this fight ...but in doing so he has shown his real face. The mask
has been stripped away.
see :Simon Benson, Iemma shows political spark, Simon Benson Blog, Daily Telegraph, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
============================================================================================================
PORT MACQUARIE's INVISIBLE MAN well still invisible
With community concern that "Port Macquarie could be in the firing line because it employs 150 staff in retail jobs which could be fulfilled for a
fraction of the cost offshore" as a result of the sell-off of NSW electricity's assets, Port Macquarie's Invisible Man Rob Oakeshott MP has been
...well invisible and so it has been left to Greens MLC Dr John Kaye to take up the running for the community.
SOURCE :
Port jobs safe: Country Energy boss, Port Macquarie News, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
============================================================================================================
With community concern that "Port Macquarie could be in the firing line because it employs 150 staff in retail jobs which could be fulfilled for a
fraction of the cost offshore" as a result of the sell-off of NSW electricity's assets, Port Macquarie's Invisible Man Rob Oakeshott MP has been
...well invisible and so it has been left to Greens MLC Dr John Kaye to take up the running for the community.
SOURCE :
Port jobs safe: Country Energy boss, Port Macquarie News, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
============================================================================================================
NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL
For a well reasoned argument as to why the Iemma model of electricity privatisation is bound to fail :-
Privitisation 'only answer', Northern Daily Leader, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For a well reasoned argument as to why the Iemma model of electricity privatisation is bound to fail :-
Privitisation 'only answer', Northern Daily Leader, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ALWAYS WEAR CLEAN UNDERWEAR
IF you have ever lived in the Northern Territory you would appreciate that Senator Nigel Scullion's "night of shame"
will do him no harm at the ballot box whatsoever. His practical down to earth advice to Territorians to always wear
clean underwear, will be appreciated by a community constantly in fear of being 'dakked'.
Had he taken a sanctimonious attitude, Territorians would have seen straight through it.
SOURCE :
ABC News, Always wear clean undies: Scullion, 12 December 2007, [ online ]
============================================================================================================
IF you have ever lived in the Northern Territory you would appreciate that Senator Nigel Scullion's "night of shame"
will do him no harm at the ballot box whatsoever. His practical down to earth advice to Territorians to always wear
clean underwear, will be appreciated by a community constantly in fear of being 'dakked'.
Had he taken a sanctimonious attitude, Territorians would have seen straight through it.
SOURCE :
ABC News, Always wear clean undies: Scullion, 12 December 2007, [ online ]
============================================================================================================
REALITY STRANGER THAN FICTION
Tail-gated for 45 minutes by a B-double truck then attacked at an isolated service station by man
wielding an iron bar - is the stuff of horror movies, but at Halfway Creek , it's reality.
SOURCE :
ABC News, Highway attack: Couple beaten after car followed, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
============================================================================================================
Tail-gated for 45 minutes by a B-double truck then attacked at an isolated service station by man
wielding an iron bar - is the stuff of horror movies, but at Halfway Creek , it's reality.
SOURCE :
ABC News, Highway attack: Couple beaten after car followed, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
============================================================================================================
GREBA MEAGHER STUFFS UP - AGAIN
Is there no end to the incompetence of Greba Meagher ?
see: Heather Crosby, Minister creates unhealthy mess, Dubbo Daily Liberal, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
Highly esteemed retired health administrator Brian Semmler is said to be 'spitting chips'.
And apparently no "smiling assassin" apology has been forth-coming from Greba.
NOW Dawn Fardell MP, it's time you stood up for the Dubbo community against your Labor mates - or is that a bridge too difficult to cross?
============================================================================================================
Is there no end to the incompetence of Greba Meagher ?
see: Heather Crosby, Minister creates unhealthy mess, Dubbo Daily Liberal, 12 December 2007 [ online ]
Highly esteemed retired health administrator Brian Semmler is said to be 'spitting chips'.
And apparently no "smiling assassin" apology has been forth-coming from Greba.
NOW Dawn Fardell MP, it's time you stood up for the Dubbo community against your Labor mates - or is that a bridge too difficult to cross?
============================================================================================================
THEY'RE COMING BACK - TO A CITY COUNCIL NEAR YOU
Queensland ALP state secretary Milton Dick is to quit and run as the Labor councillor
in the safe Labor ward of Richlands at the 2008 Brisbane City Council elections.
The Labor Brisbane City Council team are hoping to dislodge incumbent Brisbane Lord Mayor
Campbell Newman, who is said to be the most senior office holder of any Liberal in Australia.
Of course in usual style, Mr Dick's nomination necessitated Queensland ALP's administration
committee extending the nomination date, to allow Mr Dick to nominate. Sitting ALP councillor
for the ward, Cr Les Bryant who had nominated in time, has now withdrawn his nomination
saying : "I have decided to pursue other business interests" .
Mr Dick who does not live in the ward, says he will move from his Clayfield home into accommodation inside the ward's boundaries.
OF course in NSW, Labor is planning an assault on Sydney City Council at the 2008 council election.
In 2004 NSW Labor did everything it could to take control of City Hall. It sacked the existing Sydney City and South Sydney Councils, forcibly
amalgamated them and then stood "star" candidate Michael Lee, an out of towner from the Central Coast who had just recently moved into
digs at Woolloomolloo. Alas, it was all to come to nought with Independent Clover Moore winning the popular ballot for Mayor, Labor winning
3 of the 9 elected council positions, Greens 1, Liberal 1 and members of Clover Moore's Independent Team 4 seats.
Aunt of Verity Firth, MP (elected to City Council as No 2 on the Labor ticket in 2004), Meredith Burgmann, former MLC is said to be the
front-runner to get the Labor Party nomination as endorsed candidate for Mayor - in an all out effort by NSW Labor to get the prize they were
denied in 2004 - control of City Hall and the "rivers of gold" of developer donations.
SOURCES :
Tony Moore, Milton Dick to quit as ALP state secretary, Brisbane Times, 11 December 2007 [ online ]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Queensland ALP state secretary Milton Dick is to quit and run as the Labor councillor
in the safe Labor ward of Richlands at the 2008 Brisbane City Council elections.
The Labor Brisbane City Council team are hoping to dislodge incumbent Brisbane Lord Mayor
Campbell Newman, who is said to be the most senior office holder of any Liberal in Australia.
Of course in usual style, Mr Dick's nomination necessitated Queensland ALP's administration
committee extending the nomination date, to allow Mr Dick to nominate. Sitting ALP councillor
for the ward, Cr Les Bryant who had nominated in time, has now withdrawn his nomination
saying : "I have decided to pursue other business interests" .
Mr Dick who does not live in the ward, says he will move from his Clayfield home into accommodation inside the ward's boundaries.
OF course in NSW, Labor is planning an assault on Sydney City Council at the 2008 council election.
In 2004 NSW Labor did everything it could to take control of City Hall. It sacked the existing Sydney City and South Sydney Councils, forcibly
amalgamated them and then stood "star" candidate Michael Lee, an out of towner from the Central Coast who had just recently moved into
digs at Woolloomolloo. Alas, it was all to come to nought with Independent Clover Moore winning the popular ballot for Mayor, Labor winning
3 of the 9 elected council positions, Greens 1, Liberal 1 and members of Clover Moore's Independent Team 4 seats.
Aunt of Verity Firth, MP (elected to City Council as No 2 on the Labor ticket in 2004), Meredith Burgmann, former MLC is said to be the
front-runner to get the Labor Party nomination as endorsed candidate for Mayor - in an all out effort by NSW Labor to get the prize they were
denied in 2004 - control of City Hall and the "rivers of gold" of developer donations.
SOURCES :
Tony Moore, Milton Dick to quit as ALP state secretary, Brisbane Times, 11 December 2007 [ online ]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
