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GREENS E-BRIEF 200
Friday 7 March 2008 ... EBRIEF TURNS 200! Welcome to the 200th edition. Started in October 1999, for over eight years the Greens NSW ebrief has been reporting to members and supporters on politics, activities, campaigns and events inside and outside parliament.
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EBRIEF TURNS 200!
Welcome to the 200th edition. Started in October 1999, for over eight
years the Greens NSW ebrief has been reporting to members and
supporters on politics, activities, campaigns and events inside and
outside parliament. You can see the very first edition at
http://lee.greens.org.au/index.php/content/view/1091/70/ and all theother 198 at http://lee.greens.org.au/index.php/content/category/5/22/70/.+++++++++++++++++++++++
IN THIS E-BRIEF
1. From the Offices of Greens MPs in NSW
2. Coming events involving Greens
3. What's on?
4. Hot website tips
5. Campaigns
6. Inquiries and Calls for Submissions
7. Job advertisements and volunteer positions
8. Contact details for Greens MPs
9. Submitting Items For E-Brief
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1. FROM THE OFFICES OF GREENS MPs IN NSW
(Contact details for all Greens MPs in NSW are at the end of this email)
SYLVIA HALE MLC
www.sylviahale.org.auRESIDENTS MUST HAVE A VOICE IN WHO RUNS THEIR COUNCIL
With local government elections scheduled for mid-September this year,
the state government has been busy sacking councils to try to divert
attention away from its Ministers' relationships with property
developers. The State government has ignored the democratic right of
residents of Port Macquarie and Wollongong to elect the people who
represent them on local councils, and instead imposed an Administrator
who is totally unaccountable to the local community. With elections
only a matter of months away, if genuine incompetence and corruption
has occurred, it would have been appropriate to appoint an
Administrator until the scheduled elections, but it is totally
inappropriate for that Administrator to hold power until September
2012
http://news.smh.com.au/nsw-govt-sacks-port-macquarie-council/20080227-1v9m.htmlLABOR DODGING ELECTION BACKLASH WITH WOLLONGONG COUNCIL SACKING
The appointment of an Administrator to take over Wollongong City
Council for the next four years is all about Labor avoiding being held
accountable for the way some of its members have corrupted the
Council.
http://www.sylvia.nsw.greens.org.au/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=37&page_id=217&tabno=1DEVELOPERS SHOULD NOT BE REWARDED FOR DONATIONS SCANDAL
Developers should not be rewarded for the current political donations
scandal by being given control of planning decisions. Calls by
developer lobby groups to cut local councils out of planning decisions
are a shameless attempt to cash-in on a scandal created by political
donations from the development industry itself. It is developer
donations that are the problem, not local democracy. If we want to
restore faith in the planning system we need to ban political
donations and strengthen transparency, accountability and democracy.
http://www.sylvia.nsw.greens.org.au/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=37&page_id=302&tabno=1ROYAL COMMISSION NEEDED INTO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LABOR DONORS AND MINISTERS
I called this week for a Royal Commission into the relationship
between property developers, their political donations and the
decisions of Labor government Ministers.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sartor-and-one-project/2008/02/27/1203788443627.htmlSURF BEACH DEVELOPMENT GOES TO ICAC
I spoke in parliament this week about the controversial Surf Beach
development near Batemans Bay that has now been referred to the ICAC.
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JOHN KAYE MLC
www.johnkaye.org.auGREENS HELP SECURE PARLIAMENTARY SAY ON ELECTRICITY PRIVATISATION
A Greens private members bill has prompted the government to assure
parliament there will be no privatisation of the electricity industry
without new legislation. John secured a majority to introduce the No
Mandate, No Privatisation Bill (with a name change to make it less
frightening to the Coalition – see
www.johnkaye.org.au/campaigns/energy/coal/b2008-002-d07.pdf). Atquestion time, less than one hour later, Treasurer Michael Costa gave
a commitment that mimicked the terms of the Greens' bill:
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: "After discussions with both the Christian
Democratic Party and the Shooters Party I can give the House an
assurance that the Government will ensure that any sale, lease or
disposal of the main undertakings of an energy service corporation or
its subsidiaries will be determined by the Parliament of New South
Wales."
A deal had been struck to avoid the humiliation of the government
losing the vote on this important issue. Treasurer Costa and Premier
Iemma's sell-off push has not been stopped but Greens MPs helped to
build one small legislative speed hump.
www.johnkaye.org.au/greens-help-secure-parliamentary-authority-on-electricity-privatisation/
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/27/2174474.htm
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/27/2173992.htm
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/27/2173579.htmIEMMA GOVERNMENT BETRAYS CENTRAL COAST RESIDENTS ON POWER LINES FEARS
The Iemma government has ignored the environmental and health concerns
of Central Coast residents and stymied a vote on a Greens motion
calling for undergrounding of a high voltage power line being built
between Ourimbah and Terrigal.
www.johnkaye.org.au/media/iemma-govt-betrays-central-coast-residents-on-power-lines-fears/
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/01/2177129.htmVEIL OF SECRECY MAINTAINED ON DODGY RESTAURANTS
NSW Food Minister Ian Macdonald's proposal for so-called 'name and
shame' laws for unhygienic eateries is a sham and will force
restaurant goers to play Russian roulette with food poisoning. John
called on the government to follow the British example and publish the
results of all inspections.
www.johnkaye.org.au/media/iemma-government-maintains-veil-of-secrecy-on-dodgy-restaurants/
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/29/2176480.htm
www.smh.com.au/news/national/diners-denied-the-dirt-on-chefs/2008/02/28/1203788539568.htmlCLIMATE FUTURES BILL VOTED DOWN BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
After a long debate, Coalition, Labor, Christian Democrat and Shooters
party members of the Legislative Council voted to defeat the Greens
Climate Futures Bill which would have banned new coal mines and coal
fired power stations. The campaign to slash greenhouse gas emissions
continues.
www.johnkaye.org.au/media/speech-climate-futures-bill-2007-address-in-reply/--------------------
KERRY NETTLE
www.kerrynettle.org.auSAME-SEX DISCRIMINATION
Labor made an election promise to remove the discrimination against
same sex couples in 58 federal laws identified by the Human Rights and
Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), however, in the first 100 days
of the new government there has been no action. Kerry reintroduced The
Greens' Marriage (Relationships Equality) Amendment Bill into the
Senate which will remove the Labor/Liberal ban on same-sex marriage.
MAMDOUH HABIB'S RENDITION
We still do not know how much the former government knew and what they
did in regards to Mamdouh Habib's rendition to Egypt where he was
tortured before being taken to Guantanamo Bay. During Senate Estimates
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty admitted that the
AFP were involved in a meeting on 22 October 2001 where the rendition
of Mamdouh Habib to Egypt was discussed. It is not clear if they made
any attempt to stop it happening.
EDUCATION
The new government appears to be continuing with the Howard government
requirement that schools must have flagpoles in order to get funding
from the federal government. They are also continuing the Howard
government program to fund chaplains in schools. There has been no
commitment to increase the funding to our public schools instead more
commitments to increase the funding of private schools. Mr Rudd is
clearly not planning a 'public' education revolution.
WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Kerry's questions in Senate Estimates revealed the extent to which the
new government is continuing to fund anti-choice organisations such as
the Catholic Church to provide pregnancy counselling. Kerry is working
with other MPs to overturn the Brian Harradine era ban on Australian
aid money being spent on abortion and contraception.
HANEEF
AFP Police Commissioner Mick Keelty confirmed that the AFP and
Immigration department worked together to ensure that Mohammed Haneef
remained behind bars as long as possible despite the courts granting
him bail . The Commissioner said this was normal practice and he told
the Senate that the AFP would not have done anything differently in
the Mohammed Haneef case.
IMMIGRATION
Some positive decisions have been made by the new government,
including compensation for Cornelia Rau and permanent residency for
Robert Jovicic. The Greens will keep a close eye on Labor to ensure
they reform the immigration system They have already started
backpeddling on some of their promises, such as ensuring detention
centres are run by the government and not contracted out to private
companies.
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LEE RHIANNON MLC
www.leerhiannon.org.auThe cash for development scandals of the past couple of weeks
reinforced for many that there is no difference between a bribe and a
political donation. With more than $21 million in donations declared
by political parties in the last financial year it is not surprising
that people are so cynical. I have called on Premier Iemma to ban
corporate donations and set up a Donations Royal Commission. The
Greens Democracy4sale - http://www.democracy4sale.org/- has been anexcellent resource for many journalists working on the current spate
of donations stories.
http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/03/03/Calls_to_abolish_political_donationshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/29/2176891.htmCheck out the story behind donations to the Shooters Party.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/shooters-links-fire-up-greens/2008/03/02/1204402275111.htmlPacific National's announcement that it would no longer use its rail
wagons to take the export grain crop to NSW ports is a major crisis
that is not being given the priority it deserves. When I moved to hold
an urgent debate on an 'Emergency Rail Response Plan' Rural Affairs
Minster Tony Kelly embarrassed the government by stating the issue was
not urgent. I was successful in having the Greens motion debated, but
unfortunately Labor and the Opposition joined forces to wipe out the
Greens call for the government to return rail grain haulage to public
hands. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/29/2176532.htmThe Premier's 2006 declaration of war on domestic violence is in
tatters as record numbers of women who defend themselves against a
violent partner are being arrested. Premier Iemma has failed to follow
clear advice on ensuring that the new domestic violence policy does
not result in women victims being arrested for trying to defend
themselves. http://lee.greens.org.au/index.php/content/view/2430/50/In recent months the NSW government has used the promise of reports to
try and deflect criticism from community groups. The government is set
to approve massive coal mines in the north-west of the state despite
the failure to produce the promised Mid-Western Regional Water Study
into the impact of coal mining on local rivers. And a discussion paper
on the proposed M4 East motorway promised at the end of 2007 has still
not been sighted.
http://lee.greens.org.au/index.php/content/view/2446/50/------------------
IAN COHEN MLC
www.iancohen.org.auUIGHUR PEACE PRIZE WINNER IN PARLIAMENT
Nobel Peace Prize nominee and celebrated Uighur human rights activist
Ms Rebiya Kadeer visited the NSW Parliament on the 27th February,
hosted by this office. The visit was part of a tour to highlight the
plight of the Uighur in the lead up to the Olympic Games. Ms Kadeer
spoke about systematic, gross and ongoing violations of the Uighur's
human rights, who have been persecuted since China annexed their
country, East Turkestan, in 1949. Amnesty International Australia
state that the Uighur are 'subjected to arbitrary detention, violence
and killings' and that as a people 'they face severe restrictions on
their religious freedom and their social and cultural rights'. A short
piece on Ms Kadeer will be appearing on SBS Dateline this week. You
can watch a repeat on Mondays at 2.30pm.
CANOLA BAN LIFTED
Sadly amidst all of the stories surrounding scandals in NSW right now,
the effective end of the moratorium on growing genetically modified
food crops has occurred with very little fanfare. In the wake of
government failure to preserve our clean green agricultural status it
is now up to consumers to do the right thing. To that end, it was
encouraging to see Woolworths calling for all GM food ingredients to
be labelled. They have also expressed concern that farmers who want to
remain GM free be protected from unwanted contamination. As labelling
laws stand now, food items containing highly refined GM ingredients
such as canola oil do not need to be labelled as GM.
CONTAINER DEPOSIT LEGISLATION
The National Packaging Covenant, a voluntary, industry based scheme,
is the current regime that is touted to deliver the country's
recycling and waste reduction objectives. It is becoming more apparent
that Australia's current approach to recycling of used packaging is a
wholesale failure. The Covenant Secretariat is expected to deliver the
results of the Covenant targets for 2006-07 in April. With no real
progression on achieving waste reduction targets, the push for
Container Deposit Legislation, as implemented in South Australia,
should start to gain significant mainstream political traction.
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2. COMING EVENTS INVOLVING GREENS
INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY MARCH AND CELEBRATION
Saturday 8 March
11am - 5pm
Starting at Sydney Town Hall, march through to Hyde Park for stalls
and entertainment.
It is the 100th anniversary of the strike of women garment workers in
New York in 1908, that inspired the holding of the first International
Women's Day march. This is a time to remember the importance and
origin of this politically significant day to women around the world.
Look our for the Greens banner and join our contingent.
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MOUNT ANNAN FUN WALK
8.00 am Sunday 9 March
Mount Annan Botanic Garden at Campbelltown
We will enter as "Macarthur Greens"
Cost : $15 on the day.
People who are interested can ring Campbelltown Council: 4645 4921 and
ask to have an entry form mailed to them, otherwise I could try to get
hold of some and mail them to who is interested,
Call Eva 4681 8082 or 0425 281 983 for more details.
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NANOTECHNOLOGY - SILVER BULLET OR CAN OF WORMS?
Public forum - all welcome
12:15 pm Wednesday 12 March
Jubilee Room NSW Parliament
Speakers include Georgia Miller, Coordinator of the Friends of the
Earth Australia Nanotechnology Project
Other speakers to be announced.
Nanotechnology is the control of matter on the atomic and molecular scale.
This forums aims to cut through the hype about nanotechnology.
Speakers will address the health, environmental and social impacts of
this technology, which is being promoted as the basis of the next
industrial revolution.
Organised by office of Greens MP Lee Rhiannon
Please rsvp - linda.wilhelm@parliament.nsw.gov.au This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it--------------------------
ABORIGINAL RIGHTS COALITION RALLY - AGAINST INTERVENTION IN WA
12.30pm, Thursday 13 March 2008
Centrelink, 140 Redfern Street, Redfern
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon will speak at this demonstration organised by
the Aboriginal Rights Coalition, with similar rallies occurring at
Centrelink offices around Australia, to protest the ongoing NT
intervention and extension of welfare quarantining into Queensland and
Western Australia. Jenny Macklin is talking to the Iemma government
about doing the same in NSW.
For more info: Greg Eatock 0432 050 240
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3. WHAT'S ON
ANTI-COSTA RALLY
9:30 am Sunday 9 March
Cessnock RL Supporters Club
1 Darwin Street
Cessnock
Our illustrious state treasurer is attending an ALP function in
Cessnock on the weekend.
A "WELCOME TO CESSNOCK RALLY" has been organised so that we can let
him know just how much we love him. The "welcoming committee" will
convene at the entrance to the club at 9:30 am.
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CUBAN PERMACULTURIST AUSTRALIAN SPEAKING TOUR - ROBERTO PEREZ
12-30 March
Various parts of NSW
Roberto Perez, the Cuban permaculturist and educator featured in the
film "The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil" will tour
Australia in March and April sharing the Cuban experience. Roberto
works for the Cuban environment group, the Foundation for Nature and
Humanity.
The tour takes in Byron Bay, Nimbin, Lismore, Sydney, Katoomba, Bega
Details at http://leftclickblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/roberto-perez-cuban-permaculturist.html--------------------------
SEX, DRUGS AND LIES: FILM SCREENING
7:30pm Friday 14 March
Addison Road Centre, 142 Addison Rd. Marrickville
In 2004, a range of US and Australian companies were involved in a
drug trial with 960 Cambodian sex workers. This is their story. Hosted
by Art Resistance TV. Entry free. Ph 9564 1277 for details.
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RESISTING THE WAR MACHINE – PUBLIC FORUM
Featuring Kathy Black from US Labor Against War
2pm 15 March
Uniting Church Hall
150 Belmont St
Hamilton (Newcastle)
For further information contact Niko Leka 0406 296141
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5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY – MARCH & RALLY - TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ
1pm Sunday 16 March
Belmore Park, Sydney
Entertainment to follow
Organised by the Sydney Stop the War Coalition
http://iraq5yearstoolong.info/sydney/--------------------------
PALM SUNDAY MARCH & RALLY FOR PEACE
1:30pm 16 March
Parramatta Amphitheatre (Church St. Mall)
Beginning with ecumenical & multi-faith prayers for peace organised by
NSW Ecumenical Council
March begins and ends at amphitheatre, speakers tba
Organised by the Sydney Peace & Justice Coalition
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INSPIRACTIVISM – LEARNING FROM OUR PAST, PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE
Thursday 10 April (6:00pm-8:00pm), Saturday (full day) 12 April,
Saturday (full day) 19 April
Ground Floor Training Room, Unions NSW, 377 Sussex St, Sydney
SEARCH Foundation is initiating an exciting new training program for
young activists interested and engaged in left/progressive social
change.
The training sessions will consist of an inter-generational dialogue
and exchange with veteran activists who will share their experiences,
knowledge and ideas with younger activists. Participants will also
have the opportunity to take part in a mentoring program with a
veteran activist as well as help create an activist network where
support can be given and information is freely shared.
We are seeking young individuals (18 – 26) who:
- are currently active on social/political issues
- are from diverse backgrounds
- want to join a learning circle
- are interested in learning about historical social movements
- want to explore the 'big picture'
- are available for all dates listed below
Cost: $20 to cover lunch on both Saturdays
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WILDENDURANCE CHALLENGE: 100KMS IN 48 HOURS
3-4 May
Blue Mountains
The Wilderness Society is excited to announce its inaugural
WILDENDURANCE challenge: a new 100km team event to be staged in the
stunning Blue Mountains World Heritage area on the weekend of 3/4 May
2008.
Working in teams, participants will challenge their personal limits
while raising funds to support The Wilderness Society's conservation
campaigns for a brighter, more secure future.
Teams of 4-6 people will trek on foot together through mountain
wilderness, choosing either to complete the entire 100km course
together or divide into two relay groups each travelling 50km over 48
hours. The course passes through some of Australia's most iconic
scenery including the world famous Three Sisters and the stunning
Jamison valley.
www.wildendurance.org--------------------------
"The Beauty Queen Of Leenane" - an Irish black comedy
Special discount tickets for Greens
$25 each.
March 6th to 15th at the Seymour Centre
Wildfire Theatre Company Pty Ltd
www.wildfiretheatre.com For more information contact Andrew Martin 9519 0877 andrewm@nsw.greens.org.au This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it+++++++++++++++++++++++
4. HOT WEBSITE TIPS
www.reconciliaction.org.au/nswThe ReconciliACTION website includes introductory information about
Indigenous rights issues, plus links to other online resources,
including tools to get active. Accessible to young people.
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5. CAMPAIGNS
PUBLIC POWER NOT PRIVATE PROFIT
On 10 December NSW Premier Morris Iemma announced his intention to
sell NSW's electricity retailers and to lease the publicly-owned power
stations. The Greens are committed to keeping the electricity industry
in public hands. Many local groups are already very active and are
campaigning hard with public events, stalls, petitions, etc, and the
MPs have been travelling across NSW to speak about this issue.
Over the coming weeks pole posters will be put up around Sydney as
part of the Greens' campaign. Web resources continue to be added at
http://www.johnkaye.org.au/no-sell-off. For copies of leaflets,petitions, posters and other materials, contact John's office on 02
9230 2668 or email justin.whelan@parliament.nsw.gov.au This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .The union movement and progressive groups are also organising to stop
the sale, and Premier Iemma and his Treasurer Michael Costa are facing
considerable pressure from within their own party to reject the sale.
ACT NOW: With a single mouse click you can send an email to members of
the NSW Upper House asking them to oppose Treasurer Michael Costa's
electricity industry privatisation:
www.johnkaye.org.au/no-sell-off-MLC-eprotestTo find out more about the recently formed Anti-Privatisation Working
Group contact Liz Humphrys at lizhumphrys@gmail.com This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .--------------------------
OIL PROOF NSW NOW! THE GREENS PEAK OIL CAMPAIGN
In 2002, the price of petrol was 84 cents for a litre. Today the price
is 60 percent higher. The era of cheap, plentiful and easily
accessible oil is coming to an end and the knock-on effect of peak oil
and climate change will transform NSW. The NSW government must act to
reduce Sydney's dependence on fossil fuels to preserve dwindling oil
stocks for rural communities.
Write to Premier Iemma today and urge him to stop pouring billions of
dollars into building more motorways. Instead, he must start investing
in more rail, light rail, buses and safe bicycle and pedestrian
routes. Write to Premier Iemma at thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or atParliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney 2000.
Download the Greens leaflet and find out more about the campaign at
Lee Rhiannon's website http://www.lee.greens.org.au--------------------------
VOTE FOR BIKE ROUTES ON GOOGLE MAPS
Take action - encourage Google Maps to add 'bike there' as a choice
along with 'drive there' and 'take public transportation there.'
Details at http://www.petitiononline.com/bikether/petition.html+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
6. INQUIRIES AND CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
GARNAUT CLIMATE CHANGE REVIEW
Rising Tide has created an online form for anyone and everyone to send
a submission to the Garnaut Review
(submissions close April 11).
It's here: http://www.risingtide.org.au/garnautsubmission+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
7. JOB ADVERTISEMENTS AND VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
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8. CONTACT DETAILS FOR GREENS MPs
Ian Cohen MLC
ian.cohen@parliament.nsw.gov.au This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
www.iancohen.org.auPh 9230 2603 Fax 9230 2267
Sylvia Hale MLC
sylvia.hale@parliament.nsw.gov.au This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
www.sylviahale.org.auPh 02 9230 3030 Fax 02 9230 2159
Lee Rhiannon MLC
lee.rhiannon@parliament.nsw.gov.au This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
www.leerhiannon.org.auPh 9230 3551 Fax 9230 3550
John Kaye MLC
John.Kaye@parliament.nsw.gov.au This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
www.JohnKaye.org.auPh 9230 2668 Fax 9230 2586
Senator Kerry Nettle
senator.nettle@aph.gov.au This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
www.kerrynettle.org.auSydney Office Ph 9690 2038 Fax 9690 2041
Canberra Office Ph 6277 3501 Fax 6277 5716
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9. SUBMITTING ITEMS FOR E-BRIEF
We welcome your items for e-brief – please email
justin.whelan@parliament.nsw.gov.au This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it with no more than 100 words inplain text about your event or campaign (please see existing items for
format).
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