| MONTHLY NEWS - December 2007 |
| THIS IS PAGE 6 OF DECEMBER 2007 MONTHLY NEWS - MonNewsDEC6 |
PORT MACQUARIE COUNCIL INQUIRY WITH RUNNING COMMENTARY FROM COMMISSIONER
The Inquiry into the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, is into it's final 2 weeks (turning into the home straight) with Commissioner Willan
(Chief stipe, concurrent course announcer and race-caller and Judge) saying the last 2 weeks should be interesting.
SOURCE :
Lisa Tisdell, Inquiry set to 'tease out' expert evidence , Port Macquarie News, 3 December, 2007 [ online ]
The Inquiry into the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, is into it's final 2 weeks (turning into the home straight) with Commissioner Willan
(Chief stipe, concurrent course announcer and race-caller and Judge) saying the last 2 weeks should be interesting.
SOURCE :
Lisa Tisdell, Inquiry set to 'tease out' expert evidence , Port Macquarie News, 3 December, 2007 [ online ]
STAFFING LEVELS AT PORT MACQUARIE HOSPITAL - "grossly inadequate"
The Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee (AMWAC) report into the specialist emergency medical workforce
recommends 6-8 emergency specialists for major regional emergency departments.
Vice-president of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Sally McCarthy has described Port Macquarie's one
specialist allocation as "grossly inadequate.
However, NSW Health has disputed that the guidelines are the basis for determining workforce levels and that emergency department
physician numbers are under review.
IT seems that bureaucats know better than medical workers at the health face ( a new take on coal face).
SOURCE :
Simone Plews, Hospital staffing inadequate , Port Macquarie News, 3 December 2007 [ online ]
The Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee (AMWAC) report into the specialist emergency medical workforce
recommends 6-8 emergency specialists for major regional emergency departments.
Vice-president of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Sally McCarthy has described Port Macquarie's one
specialist allocation as "grossly inadequate.
However, NSW Health has disputed that the guidelines are the basis for determining workforce levels and that emergency department
physician numbers are under review.
IT seems that bureaucats know better than medical workers at the health face ( a new take on coal face).
SOURCE :
Simone Plews, Hospital staffing inadequate , Port Macquarie News, 3 December 2007 [ online ]
EFFECTIVE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE PREVENTION MECHANISM VENDING
MACHINES TO BE INSTALLED IN WALGETT
AN embarrassed Kevin Rudd was unable to bring himself to say the word "condom"
yesterday.
....
Quizzed about whether he supported condom use as a means of preventing the
spread of sexually transmitted diseases, a red-faced Mr Rudd drew laughter by giving
a wordy, public service-style answer.
"In terms of effective AIDS prevention mechanisms, contraception along the lines you
described is appropriate," he said.
Peter Jean, Rudd plays it safe on protection, Herald Sun, 21 November 2007, p. 11 [ online ]
The Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health has provided funding to the
Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service to manufacture and install coin-free [ effective sexually
transmitted disease prevention mechanisms ] vending machines in the town's central
business district.
ABC News, Walgett to get condom vending machines, ABC Radio, 4 December 2007 [ online ]
MACHINES TO BE INSTALLED IN WALGETT
AN embarrassed Kevin Rudd was unable to bring himself to say the word "condom"
yesterday.
....
Quizzed about whether he supported condom use as a means of preventing the
spread of sexually transmitted diseases, a red-faced Mr Rudd drew laughter by giving
a wordy, public service-style answer.
"In terms of effective AIDS prevention mechanisms, contraception along the lines you
described is appropriate," he said.
Peter Jean, Rudd plays it safe on protection, Herald Sun, 21 November 2007, p. 11 [ online ]
The Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health has provided funding to the
Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service to manufacture and install coin-free [ effective sexually
transmitted disease prevention mechanisms ] vending machines in the town's central
business district.
ABC News, Walgett to get condom vending machines, ABC Radio, 4 December 2007 [ online ]
IEMMA's SPIN DOESN'T STACK UP
Premier Iemma's "defence" for the position adopted by him in the Koperberg 'bombshell' is that the allegations
contained in the affidavit which he saw in November 2006 was that they were filed in a family law case 20 years
ago and that case has now been finalised.
We had originally thought that the affidavit was part of the AVO proceedings, but apparently it was part of the
family law proceedings.
So it will be in some dark and dingy basement in th Family Law Court that the records lie un-loved and gathering dust.
Who knows, it could be a basement of the Goulburn Street, Sydney Family Law Court - just a stone's throw from
Mr Koperberg's ministerial office (until he moves into Governor Macquaie Tower when refurbishments are completed).
Now exactly what type of proceedings they were we don't know. Perhaps they were proceedings seeking an order for sole occupancy of
the matrimonial home. Apparently the proceedings were "settled", so that a Judge never made an assessment of the evidence and
made no findings on the allegations ( admittedly on a different standard of proof in the Family Court to the criminal courts). BUT SO
WHAT we ask ?
To somehow justify his actions on the basis of that the proceedings were "settled" and no complaint lodged with the Police shows an
appalling lack of understanding by Premier Iemma of "domestic violence" and it's effects on 'victims' . One of the worst aspects of
domestic violence is the 'control factor' - and how it leaves victims battered mentally and emotionally.. Often the victim of domestic
violence merely seeks "peace". They don't have the energy or the desire to seek revenge. They merely want "peace" - and to forget the
horrors of the past.
Lodging a complaint with police will not bring "peace". Criminal proceedings will not bring "peace".
After a period of removal from a domestic violence situation, the battered person may recover the strength, the emotional stability and
their self esteem to be in a position to then proceed with "punitive" action against the perpetrator. But by then - what's the point - if the
person has found "peace".
The stock in trade of the bully, apart from physical violence, is fear, destroying the victim's self esteem, creating dependence by the
victim on the perpetrator and creating insecurity in the victim.
Of course, the most insidious aspect of domestic violence by a domestic bully is that the perpetrator might in all other respects of their
life be "perfectly normal" - but once they step inside the domestic residence - and close the door - a completely different person
emerges.
By the same token, someone may be physically violent towards another person - without being a domestic violence perpetrator.
Morris Iemma's failure to understand the culture of the bully and it's effect on victim's - and to take this into account when assessing his
actions is,to say the least mind-boggling, especially coming from someone who professes to be the enemy of the "bully".
To simply wipe the Affidavit (which he apparently read in November 2006) under the carpet, rely on the assurances of the alleged
perpetrator and apparently fail to even consider the alleged victim's position, smacks of making a value judgement on his part - that the
alleged victim was not to be believed.
HOW in the hell can Premier Iemma draw a distinction between his treatment of Paul Gibson MP and his treatment of Phil Koperberg
MP. How can he honestly say he did not stand in judgment of Mr Gibson (which judgment appears to have been erroneous).
HIS continued attempts to draw a distinction - merely make him look more and more foolish, if not hypocritical. It tends to harden
suspicion into conviction, that Mr Iemma has not operated from principle - but out of motives of base opportunism, favouritism and
patronage.
IT seems in both the Gibson case and the Koperberg case Mr Iemma has concentrated his efforts on "How can I spin this" - to suit a
predetermined outcome, rather than gathering the information together, considering it and then making a decision (no matter how
unpleasant ) based on principle - and a consistent principle at that.
SOURCE :
NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, Question : Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water Domestic Violence Allegation,
4 December 2007 [ online ]
NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, Question : Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water Domestic Violence Allegation,
4 December 2007 [ online ]
Premier Iemma's "defence" for the position adopted by him in the Koperberg 'bombshell' is that the allegations
contained in the affidavit which he saw in November 2006 was that they were filed in a family law case 20 years
ago and that case has now been finalised.
We had originally thought that the affidavit was part of the AVO proceedings, but apparently it was part of the
family law proceedings.
So it will be in some dark and dingy basement in th Family Law Court that the records lie un-loved and gathering dust.
Who knows, it could be a basement of the Goulburn Street, Sydney Family Law Court - just a stone's throw from
Mr Koperberg's ministerial office (until he moves into Governor Macquaie Tower when refurbishments are completed).
Now exactly what type of proceedings they were we don't know. Perhaps they were proceedings seeking an order for sole occupancy of
the matrimonial home. Apparently the proceedings were "settled", so that a Judge never made an assessment of the evidence and
made no findings on the allegations ( admittedly on a different standard of proof in the Family Court to the criminal courts). BUT SO
WHAT we ask ?
To somehow justify his actions on the basis of that the proceedings were "settled" and no complaint lodged with the Police shows an
appalling lack of understanding by Premier Iemma of "domestic violence" and it's effects on 'victims' . One of the worst aspects of
domestic violence is the 'control factor' - and how it leaves victims battered mentally and emotionally.. Often the victim of domestic
violence merely seeks "peace". They don't have the energy or the desire to seek revenge. They merely want "peace" - and to forget the
horrors of the past.
Lodging a complaint with police will not bring "peace". Criminal proceedings will not bring "peace".
After a period of removal from a domestic violence situation, the battered person may recover the strength, the emotional stability and
their self esteem to be in a position to then proceed with "punitive" action against the perpetrator. But by then - what's the point - if the
person has found "peace".
The stock in trade of the bully, apart from physical violence, is fear, destroying the victim's self esteem, creating dependence by the
victim on the perpetrator and creating insecurity in the victim.
Of course, the most insidious aspect of domestic violence by a domestic bully is that the perpetrator might in all other respects of their
life be "perfectly normal" - but once they step inside the domestic residence - and close the door - a completely different person
emerges.
By the same token, someone may be physically violent towards another person - without being a domestic violence perpetrator.
Morris Iemma's failure to understand the culture of the bully and it's effect on victim's - and to take this into account when assessing his
actions is,to say the least mind-boggling, especially coming from someone who professes to be the enemy of the "bully".
To simply wipe the Affidavit (which he apparently read in November 2006) under the carpet, rely on the assurances of the alleged
perpetrator and apparently fail to even consider the alleged victim's position, smacks of making a value judgement on his part - that the
alleged victim was not to be believed.
HOW in the hell can Premier Iemma draw a distinction between his treatment of Paul Gibson MP and his treatment of Phil Koperberg
MP. How can he honestly say he did not stand in judgment of Mr Gibson (which judgment appears to have been erroneous).
HIS continued attempts to draw a distinction - merely make him look more and more foolish, if not hypocritical. It tends to harden
suspicion into conviction, that Mr Iemma has not operated from principle - but out of motives of base opportunism, favouritism and
patronage.
IT seems in both the Gibson case and the Koperberg case Mr Iemma has concentrated his efforts on "How can I spin this" - to suit a
predetermined outcome, rather than gathering the information together, considering it and then making a decision (no matter how
unpleasant ) based on principle - and a consistent principle at that.
SOURCE :
NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, Question : Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water Domestic Violence Allegation,
4 December 2007 [ online ]
NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, Question : Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water Domestic Violence Allegation,
4 December 2007 [ online ]
PARLIAMENT'S HOLIDAYS TO START EARLY ?
Suggestions, from the floor of the house, that the government will cancel the sittings
commencing 11 December 2007, which have been marked in the diary as the last sittings
of parliament for the year - did not receive a response or an angry denial from the
government.
Therefore, it will be interesting to see if the "lazy,lazy.lazy" Iemma government takes
an early mark for the long summer vacation, and what "spin" the Premier can come up
with for such a decision.
SOURCES :
NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard,
Suggestions, from the floor of the house, that the government will cancel the sittings
commencing 11 December 2007, which have been marked in the diary as the last sittings
of parliament for the year - did not receive a response or an angry denial from the
government.
Therefore, it will be interesting to see if the "lazy,lazy.lazy" Iemma government takes
an early mark for the long summer vacation, and what "spin" the Premier can come up
with for such a decision.
SOURCES :
NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard,
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
WHO ARE YOU KIDDING MR OAKESHOTT ?
OAKESHOTT WELCOMES STATE GRANT TO LOCAL COUNCILS
Independent MP for Port Macquarie, Robert Oakeshott, today welcomed the announcement from
the NSW Local Government Grants Commission that grants of nearly $13 million has been approved
and allocated to local Councils within the Port Macquarie electorate.
"This is important money for Councils who received their first quarterly instalment on the 16th August.
There are no conditions attached to how Councils spend this money, and I urge them to spend it wisely,
Mr Oakeshott said.
"Greater Taree City Council received a total of $5,725,183, and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
received a total of $6,698,221, said Mr Oakeshott.
"These Grants are approved by the NSW Local Government Grants Commission and have been
determined in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 (Commonwealth).
24 August 2007
This media release was issued by Port Macquarie MP, Rob Oakeshott on 24 August 2007 and it reads as if the NSW state government
has bestowed, as an act of generosity money on local councils.
HOWEVER, as we discovered when we researched the subject, the money is a grant by the federal government, who gave it to the
independent NSW Local Government Grants Commission, to allocate between NSW councils.
Ah, well , no point in letting "facts" get in the way of a media release titled "State Grant to Local Councils" is there ?
SOURCES :
And Your Point Is ?, December 2007 News page 3, [ HERE ]
OAKESHOTT WELCOMES STATE GRANT TO LOCAL COUNCILS
Independent MP for Port Macquarie, Robert Oakeshott, today welcomed the announcement from
the NSW Local Government Grants Commission that grants of nearly $13 million has been approved
and allocated to local Councils within the Port Macquarie electorate.
"This is important money for Councils who received their first quarterly instalment on the 16th August.
There are no conditions attached to how Councils spend this money, and I urge them to spend it wisely,
Mr Oakeshott said.
"Greater Taree City Council received a total of $5,725,183, and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
received a total of $6,698,221, said Mr Oakeshott.
"These Grants are approved by the NSW Local Government Grants Commission and have been
determined in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 (Commonwealth).
24 August 2007
This media release was issued by Port Macquarie MP, Rob Oakeshott on 24 August 2007 and it reads as if the NSW state government
has bestowed, as an act of generosity money on local councils.
HOWEVER, as we discovered when we researched the subject, the money is a grant by the federal government, who gave it to the
independent NSW Local Government Grants Commission, to allocate between NSW councils.
Ah, well , no point in letting "facts" get in the way of a media release titled "State Grant to Local Councils" is there ?
SOURCES :
And Your Point Is ?, December 2007 News page 3, [ HERE ]
WEEKENDS START ON FRIDAYS IN PORT MACQUARIE ???
With it's excellent beaches and sunny weather, do weekends start on Fridays in Port Macquarie ?
Up until 30 November 2007 the 54th NSW parliament had sat on 41 occasions.
Port Macquarie MP, Rob Oakeshott has not attended parliament on 9 occasions :
Tuesday 29 May 2007,
Friday 1 June 2007,
Friday 8 June 2007,
Friday 22 June 2007,
8 of those days have been Fridays. Mr Oakshott has a 100% truancy rate on Fridays , and an overall truancy rate of 22%.
With it's excellent beaches and sunny weather, do weekends start on Fridays in Port Macquarie ?
Up until 30 November 2007 the 54th NSW parliament had sat on 41 occasions.
Port Macquarie MP, Rob Oakeshott has not attended parliament on 9 occasions :
Tuesday 29 May 2007,
Friday 1 June 2007,
Friday 8 June 2007,
Friday 22 June 2007,
8 of those days have been Fridays. Mr Oakshott has a 100% truancy rate on Fridays , and an overall truancy rate of 22%.
Friday 19 October 2007,
Friday 26 October 2007,
Friday 9 November 2007,
Friday 16 November 2007,
Friday 30 November 2007.
Friday 26 October 2007,
Friday 9 November 2007,
Friday 16 November 2007,
Friday 30 November 2007.
FINALLY - SOME SPINE TO END POLICE 12 HOUR SHIFT
We have argued strenuously against the 12 hour police shift - basically on the ground that no police officer
is capable of operating at "full efficiency" for longer than 8 hours.
It seems now that a system of "true flexible rostering".is to be introduced - which will see the end of the
standard 12 hour shift. The new rosters will be based on "demand"..
SOURCES :
Paola Totaro and Jordan Baker, Police face blitz on rosters, Sydney Morning Herald, 5 December, 2007 p. [ online ]
We have argued strenuously against the 12 hour police shift - basically on the ground that no police officer
is capable of operating at "full efficiency" for longer than 8 hours.
It seems now that a system of "true flexible rostering".is to be introduced - which will see the end of the
standard 12 hour shift. The new rosters will be based on "demand"..
SOURCES :
Paola Totaro and Jordan Baker, Police face blitz on rosters, Sydney Morning Herald, 5 December, 2007 p. [ online ]
THE MYSTERIOUS TELEPHONE CALLS
After Premier Morris Iemma spent all weekend defending his 'bombshell' Minister Phil Koperberg, on Monday 3 December
2007, he changed his tune, standing Mr Koperberg down from the ministry. He explained that his charge of heart was a
result of receiving 2 telephone calls - but Mr Iemma would not elaborate.
Andrew Clennell, the NSW State Polictical Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald claims one of those phone calls was
made to Mr Iemma's private mobile phone - a number that very few people would be aware of. Premier Iemma has
refused to identify the callers.
However , it seems one of them was not the then 20 year old young woman, who it is alleged was beaten when she went to the aid of her
mother, the then Mrs Koperberg.
SOURCE :
Andrew Clennell and Alexandra Smith, It wasn't us, says stepdaughter's husband of Koperberg calls, Sydney Morning Herald, 5
December 2007 p. [online ]
After Premier Morris Iemma spent all weekend defending his 'bombshell' Minister Phil Koperberg, on Monday 3 December
2007, he changed his tune, standing Mr Koperberg down from the ministry. He explained that his charge of heart was a
result of receiving 2 telephone calls - but Mr Iemma would not elaborate.
Andrew Clennell, the NSW State Polictical Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald claims one of those phone calls was
made to Mr Iemma's private mobile phone - a number that very few people would be aware of. Premier Iemma has
refused to identify the callers.
However , it seems one of them was not the then 20 year old young woman, who it is alleged was beaten when she went to the aid of her
mother, the then Mrs Koperberg.
SOURCE :
Andrew Clennell and Alexandra Smith, It wasn't us, says stepdaughter's husband of Koperberg calls, Sydney Morning Herald, 5
December 2007 p. [online ]
SIMON SAYS :
Simon Benson at the Daily Telegraph has had his say :-
The Government is a shambolic mess. Punters have a right to ask how a government can govern when
it spends most of its time dealing with the alleged criminal activities of its ministers..
.....
It demonstrates three things. The majority of Labor MPs have never been in Opposition - something from
which they would clearly benefit.
Second - they have no fear of their leader.
The lack of discipline which has crept into the parliamentary Labor Party is telling.
Iemma knows there are factions conspiring to undermine him.
Sources claim the John Watkins loyalists are agitating for a handover of the baton mid-term.
Some MPs claim a deal has already been sealed.
Of course, while he has the support of right-wing factional leaders Eddie Obeid, Joe Tripodi and Michael Costa, the decision
and timing are all his.
This would all appear normal for Labor - if rumblings were not also coming from Iemma’s own right-wing faction.
The enmity caused by the appointment of Gibson to Cabinet cannot be underestimated - the discontent carries across both
factions.
SOURCE :
Simon Benson, Rats and a ship sinking :Simon Benson Blogg, Daily Telegraph, 3 December 2007 [ online ]
Simon Benson at the Daily Telegraph has had his say :-
The Government is a shambolic mess. Punters have a right to ask how a government can govern when
it spends most of its time dealing with the alleged criminal activities of its ministers..
.....
It demonstrates three things. The majority of Labor MPs have never been in Opposition - something from
which they would clearly benefit.
Second - they have no fear of their leader.
The lack of discipline which has crept into the parliamentary Labor Party is telling.
Iemma knows there are factions conspiring to undermine him.
Sources claim the John Watkins loyalists are agitating for a handover of the baton mid-term.
Some MPs claim a deal has already been sealed.
Of course, while he has the support of right-wing factional leaders Eddie Obeid, Joe Tripodi and Michael Costa, the decision
and timing are all his.
This would all appear normal for Labor - if rumblings were not also coming from Iemma’s own right-wing faction.
The enmity caused by the appointment of Gibson to Cabinet cannot be underestimated - the discontent carries across both
factions.
SOURCE :
Simon Benson, Rats and a ship sinking :Simon Benson Blogg, Daily Telegraph, 3 December 2007 [ online ]
NEWCASTLE HERALD JOINS FORMER RURAL PRESS PAPERS AT YOURGUIDE
The Herald, Newcastle's daily newspaper, has now joined the
YourGuide website, originally started and operated
successfully by the Rural Press newspapers for years.
The new website for The Herald is a huge improvement on the
website it previously operated.
The Illawarra Mercury has been on the YourGuide website for
some time.
So YourGuide is now the one stop shop for newspapers
outside metropolitan Sydney -although it does feature
numerous Sydney suburban newspapers.
SOURCE :
Make The Herald your home page, Newcastle Herald,
4 December, 2007 p. 2
The Herald website [ online ]
Illawarra Mercury website [ online ]
The Herald, Newcastle's daily newspaper, has now joined the
YourGuide website, originally started and operated
successfully by the Rural Press newspapers for years.
The new website for The Herald is a huge improvement on the
website it previously operated.
The Illawarra Mercury has been on the YourGuide website for
some time.
So YourGuide is now the one stop shop for newspapers
outside metropolitan Sydney -although it does feature
numerous Sydney suburban newspapers.
SOURCE :
Make The Herald your home page, Newcastle Herald,
4 December, 2007 p. 2
The Herald website [ online ]
Illawarra Mercury website [ online ]
