GREENS E-BRIEF 206

This E-Brief contains information about the activities of NSW Greens MPs. It also contains events happening over the next month. If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe, go to http://www.john.nsw.greens.org.au/ebrief.

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. Positions vacant
7. Contact details for Greens MPs
8. Submitting items for E-Brief

1. FROM THE OFFICES OF GREENS MPs IN NSW

(Full contact details for all Greens MPs in NSW are at the end of this e-brief)

KERRY NETTLE

www.kerrynettle.org.au
senator.nettle@aph.gov.au

SAME-SEX

The first piece of federal legislation to remove discrimination against same-sex couples has been introduced. The government has indicated there will be up to five more. Kerry pressed the Attorney-General's department during Senate Estimates to ensure that important measures such as access to the Family Court are not left out. The Greens continue to campaign for full equality and Kerry will move amendments in relation to same-sex marriage and superannuation. Under the current bill, commercial superannuation providers will not be required to recognise same-sex partners because all same-sex unions will be defined as de-facto.

ASIO

Sustained questioning of government departments has finally revealed that the government knew about the planned rendition of Australian citizen Mamdouh Habib to Egypt, by the United States, where he was tortured. Answers to questions by Kerry in Senate Estimates uncovered a meeting of senior officials in Canberra including the head of ASIO where the intention of the Americans to move Mr Habib to Egypt was discussed. ASIO claims they told the Americans not to send Mr Habib to Egypt but they did not listen.

IMMIGRATION DETENTION CONTINUES

The Greens congratulated the Rudd government for closing the immigration detention centre on Nauru. However, Labor refuse to close the remote Christmas Island detention centre. Handed over in April, the $400 million detention centre is a relic to the Howard government's cruelty to asylum seekers. Kerry asked questions at Senate Estimates and the department revealed it would cost $32 million annually to open the centre for "0 - 30 detainees". That's over $1 million per detainee per year. The Greens have long called for the Christmas Island detention to be closed and for asylum seekers to be brought to the mainland and processed in the community. Kerry called on Labor to shut down the Christmas Island centre.

LEE RHIANNON MLC

www.leerhiannon.org.au
lee.rhiannon@parliament.nsw.gov.au

HOSPITAL BLUNDERS

I have called on Health Minister Reba Meagher to explain how Capital Insight, the company responsible for the bungled redevelopments of Orange and Bathurst Base hospitals, has won the $275 million contract to oversee the redevelopment of Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. The management by Capital Insight of the Orange hospital redevelopment has flawed structural and design programs and there has been inadequate consultation with clinicians.
http://dailyadvertiser.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/greens-warn-state-government-over-choice-of-contractor/772531.aspx

TRANSPORT AND PEAK OIL

In the face of inevitable petrol price increases and oil shortages Premier Iemma must start planning to oil-proof NSW and manage the demand for oil outstripping supply. With the NSW government slow to act, community action is building. Last week a 130 strong public meeting at Coffs Harbour gave strong backing to major rail upgrades in preference to Pacific Highway motorway plans. I spoke about the Greens Peak Oil Response Plan.
http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3773114
http://coffsharbour.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/community-forum-agrees-rail-is-the-future/775060.aspx

When Minister Verity Firth publicly disagreed with her government's plans to expand Iron Cove Bridge in her electorate, I called on her to take the campaign to stop this ill-conceived project into Cabinet. If she does not follow through it will look like another example of a Labor MP telling the community what it wants to hear, but failing to take the campaign any further.
http://lee.greens.org.au/index.php/content/view/2550/50/

HEALTH AND MINING

Findings by Queensland Health of lead poisoning in children from Xstrata's Mt Isa mines should motivate the NSW government to address the health impacts of coal mining. If the Iemma government fails to act the state may face liability in decades to come. I am working with a number of mining communities to win support for a parliamentary inquiry into the impacts of coal mining on the health of local residents.

POLITICAL DONATIONS

Labor's latest fundraising venture, with some wealthy corporate donors paying up to $100,000 to access government ministers, leaves Premier Morris Iemma's plans for political funding reform in tatters. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/25/2254933.htm
Developer donations are causing considerable political fallout in the Shoalhaven area with a number of local planning decisions under a cloud. I have been working closely with Sylvia Hale to expose these deals.
http://nowra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/donor-deals-raised-in-parliament/771562.aspx

IAN COHEN MLC

www.iancohen.org.au
ian.cohen@parliament.nsw.gov.au

HEMP BILL

The Hemp Industry Bill 2008 is coming up for debate in June. This Bill will permit the cultivation and supply of low-THC hemp for commercial production in accordance with a licensing scheme and allows NSW to join its state counterparts Queensland and Tasmania in reaping the significant environmental and economic benefits of industrial hemp.

The National’s Andrew Fraser has been pouring cold water on the Bill citing age-old arguments about drug culture, but the most vocal advocates for industrial hemp are not NSW drug users. This Bill is an implicit acknowledgment that NSW has the political maturity and economic savvy to cultivate this versatile crop.

GREENWASH, BOTTLED WATER & COCA COLA

The Minister for Emergency Services and Water - Nathan Rees – has paid tribute to Coca Cola - a major ALP donor - by presenting them with a 5-star rating for water management at one of their bottling plants. Whilst their bottling ratio makes 1 litre out of every 1.3 litres of water used, the true consumption over the life of the product is closer to 2.4 litres for every litre sold.

The Department of Environment and Climate are discouraging staff from drinking bottled water. About 200ml of oil is used to produce each litre bottle of water. More than 60,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are created each year when 250 million litres of bottled water are consumed in Australia – equivalent to the emissions from 13,000 cars.

Coca Cola are also in the NSW Land and Environment Court trying to gain permanent rights to draw 66ML from the aquifer at Peats Ridge. The proposal is controversial as there is argument about the sustainability of the 66ML allocation.

CANE TOADS

Ian’s experiment with taxidermying cane toads for their leather has caught the imagination of radio audiences in Queensland and NSW. After dispatching some toads by cooling them for an hour, then freezing them, Ian had their hides treated, dyed and bound onto a notebook. It’s all part of the national debate about what to do with the vermin as they make their way into new territories.

As he said to the Sun Herald: “It’s really good quality leather. And the rear legs make great French cuisine. The poison gland is useful for Chinese and Western medicine.”

SYLVIA HALE MLC

www.sylviahale.org.au
sylvia.hale@parliament.nsw.gov.au

A BAD DAY IN MACQUARIE STREET

Thursday 15 May was a bad day for the planning system in NSW as Frank Sartor introduced new pro-developer laws into the Lower House at the same time as the major parties combined in the Upper House to bury a Greens Bill banning political donations from property developers.

On the same day, the Premier introduced his Bill to privatise electricity. The electricity and planning bills demonstrate clearly for all to see that the Labor Party, once the party of working people and their trade unions, is now the party of the property developers and their political donations.

(See how the government’s planning Bill threatens historic houses: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/historic-houses-at-risk/2008/05/21/1211182896589.html )

In the Upper House the Labor, Liberal and National parties combined to refer the Greens Bill to the parliamentary committee inquiring into electoral funding reform.

It was notable that not one member of the Labor Party was willing to stand up in the Upper House and defend Frank Sartor’s record during debate on the Greens Bill.
http://nowra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/donor-deals-raised-in-parliament/771562.aspx

AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS FRESH THINKING

Last week I called on the state government to get serious on housing affordability after public hand-wringing from the Housing Minister about the recent spike in private rents.

There is simply not enough affordable rental housing. The vacancy rate is at a historic low.

More not-for-profit housing is needed, not just for those on welfare but for working people on low to moderate incomes. While the Government has announced a larger role for community housing, this will not result in any significant net growth in social housing.

Minister Sartor also needs to extend inclusionary zoning provisions (that is, mandate a percentage of affordable housing in new developments) throughout NSW. Yet, there’s nothing in his new Planning laws or in the standard LEP that does this.

The South Australian, Victorian and Commonwealth Governments are all saying inclusionary zoning is needed to deliver genuine affordable housing options.

Even the developers are saying it’s needed, so NSW should get on with it in a consistent way.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23666031-36418,00.html

JOHN KAYE MLC

www.johnkaye.org.au
john.kaye@parliament.nsw.gov.au

COSTA’S POWER PRIVATISATION BILL RELEASED, PUTTING THE BALL IN O’FARRELL’S COURT

The Iemma government finally made public their electricity sell-off legislation which gives extraordinary discretionary power to Treasurer Costa. If the Coalition opposes the bill, it is likely to be defeated.
http://www.johnkaye.org.au/media/iemma2019s-power-sell-off-bill-puts-generators-on-auction-block/
http://www.johnkaye.org.au/media/coalition-will-sacrifice-credibility-if-it-backs-iemma2019s-power-sell-off/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/16/2246434.htm
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/well-stop-power-sale-nat-tells-workers/2008/05/20/1211182801324.html

IEMMA GOVERNMENT USES POWER STATION STUDY AS PRIVATISATION PROPAGANDA

John discredited Treasurer Costa’s claim that a feasibility study into a combined cycle gas turbine in the Hunter Valley vindicated privatisation. John also pointed to Labor party campaign donations from the proponents of the development.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/27/2257432.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/28/2257674.htm

HERONS CREEK POWER STATION UNNECESSARY, BAD FOR ENVIRONMENT

The Greens called for the proposed diesel peaking power station at Herons Creek on the Mid North Coast to be rejected.
http://www.johnkaye.org.au/media/herons-creek-power-station-unnecessary-bad-for-environment/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/23/2253527.htm

TILLEGRA DAM PROJECT COULD BLOW OUT HUNTER WATER BILLS BY 88%

John released modelling showing that making the proposed Tillegra dam safe against earth slippages would see Lower Hunter household bills rise by $416 a year.
http://www.johnkaye.org.au/media/tillegra-dam-project-could-blow-out-hunter-water-bills-by-88/

ELITE PRIVATE SCHOOLS GET MORE THAN THEIR FAIR SHARE OF HSC SPECIAL DEALS

Figures released by the Greens show that many wealthy private schools have obtained additional HSC exam time and assistance for an extraordinary number of their students.
http://www.johnkaye.org.au/media/elite-private-schools-get-more-than-their-fair-share-of-hsc-special-deals/
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/elite-school-students-get-more-special-help-in-hsc/2008/05/25/1211653847168.html

PRIVATE SCHOOL FUNDING SCANDAL IS A ONE WAY TRIP TO INEQUALITY

The 30% of private schools in NSW that should have their federal funding reduced because of the rising wealth of the parents will be protected by a sweetheart deal with the Rudd government. John also pointed out that state and federal governments are handing over billions of dollars to private schools on the basis of unaudited claims of student enrolment numbers.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/schools-escape-rort-check/2008/05/26/1211653939164.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/elite-schools-given-pledge-on-funding/2008/05/22/1211183001203.html

DELLA BOSCA TAKES SCHOOLS AND TAFE COLLEGES TO THE BRINK

Teachers in NSW public schools and TAFE colleges took strike action to stop unacceptable damage to the education system.
http://www.johnkaye.org.au/media/della-bosca-takes-schools-and-tafe-colleges-to-the-brink/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/23/2253721.htm

BENEVOLENT SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT ADDS TO LOCAL PRESCHOOL PRESSURES

The Benevolent Society’s decision to evict the Maurice O’Sullivan childcare centre in the redevelopment of its Bondi site in favour of high-end luxury apartments is a blow to the local community.
http://www.johnkaye.org.au/media/benevolent-society-development-adds-to-preschool-pressures
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/benevolent-development-lacks-charity-say-residents/2008/05/21/1211182896592.html

2. COMING EVENTS INVOLVING GREENS

BOB BROWN LIVE ON Q&A WITH TONY JONES
TONIGHT Thursday 29 May, 9.35pm, ABC TV
Greens leader Bob Brown will join Tanya Plibersek, Tony Abbott and Warren Mundine on ABC's Q&A with Tony Jones. Q&A is a new program which puts punters, pollies and pundits together in the studio to thrash out the hot issues of the week live-to-air. On Q&A the audience gets to ask the questions from the audience, on-line or via SMS. If you want a chance to ask the questions, register online now at: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/

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GREENS SYDNEY FORUM: GLOBALISATION AT THE PRECIPICE?
31 May
Sydney Mechanics Institute, Pitt St, Sydney

Mortgage Crisis, Global Financial Instability, Runaway Inflation…where’s it all heading?

Free market ideologues tell us that deregulation, financial speculation and the rich getting richer are not only inevitable but desirable. Yet now with turmoil in global finance, the collapse of the US sub-prime mortgage market and growing inflationary pressures in the Australian economy there are worrying signs that we may be facing the worst global economic crisis since the 1930s.

With both major parties committed to neoliberal policies there has never been a greater need for alternative analyses and visions. We are very lucky to have two of Australia's sharpest economic thinkers, Steve Keen and Frank Stilwell, at this forum. They will be explaining what's going wrong and opening discussion on how we can get out of this mess.

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RUNNING FOR COUNCIL FOR THE GREENS?
Sunday 1st June
2pm - 4pm
Greens office 19 Eve Street Erskineville

Join us for a discussion of Greens policies at the forefront of the upcoming Local Government elections. Hear Greens Councillors and MPs talk about planning reforms, donations, climate change campaigns, working with local community groups and more. Further workshops will be held at the June 28/29 SDC and on 20 July. RSVP to lesa@nsw.greens.org.au or call 0413581603 for more information. Check the members' website for campaigning information.

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PUBLIC FORUM: ECONOMIC POLICY: THE CHALLENGES FOR THE GREENS
Thursday 5th June
7:30pm
Epping Community Centre, 9 Oxford St Epping

Professor Frank Stilwell, the Greens spokesperson on economic policy, will
be speaking at this public forum.

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PUBLIC FORUM: STOP SARTOR’S DEVELOPER MAD PLANNING LAWS
Wednesday 11 June
6:15pm (for a 6:30pm start) – 8pm
Ground Floor, Mill Hill Centre, 31-33 Spring St. Bondi Junction

Speakers confirmed so far:
* Sylvia Hale, MLC (NSW Greens Member of Parliament)
* David Shoebridge, Woollahra Councillor (NSW Greens)

NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor has introduced legislation into Parliament that will change the state's planning laws to give himself greater power to override Local Councils and communities and impose
excessive residential and industrial developments on us, regardless of their impact on the environment or our neighbourhoods. Sartor's proposed laws will strip authority to approve Development Applications from Local
Councils and hand it to private certifiers paid for by the developer. This public forum will discuss why Sartor’s proposed planning laws must be stopped and how to stop them.

Organised by Woollahra Greens and Waverley Greens. All welcome. Drinks and snacks provided.

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IMAGINING THE REAL: LIFE ON A GREENHOUSE EARTH
Wednesday 11 June and Thursday 12 June
Manning Clark Lecture Theatre No. 3, Union Square
Australian National University, Canberra

Further global warming is now inevitable. However, human scientific and technical prowess hold out hope that mitigation of the worst consequences of runaway climate change may still be possible. Can we act in time? Can the $trillions being spent on wars and armaments be diverted to save civilization? Will multinational corporations invest in true “futures”? This conference will explore the origins and consequences for life and civilization of the severe greenhouse conditions predicted for the next few centuries.

Featuring a diverse range of expert speakers from scientific, legal and political backgrounds, including Greens Senator Christine Milne.

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GREENS NSW FUTURES CONFERENCE
14 & 15 June
Port Hacking Conference Centre, Royal National Park

Join Greens members & MPs for a weekend of exciting and challenging political debate about some of the big questions facing the Greens and the planet. Set in a stunning location with onsite accommodation. Full weekend packages and day rates are available. The conference outline and registration form will be available soon on the members' website, but mark it in your diary now. The future is in our hands.

For more information, check out the information on the members website at http://www.members.nsw.greens.org.au/members/StrategicPlanning/2008.06.FuturesConference/Default.asp or call the Greens NSW office on 9519 0877.

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COOL THE PLANET – BITE BY BITE
Sunday 15 June
Wharf 8 Arrivals Hall Gate D8
53-59 Hickson Rd. Sydney

Lee Rhiannon is a special guest at the second Vegan Expo - Cool the Planet Bite by Bite 2008 - alongside Darren Cordeux from Kisschasy, Steve Kilbey of The Church and Lindsay McDougall of Frenzal Rhomb and Triple J. The expo's theme is 'We can make a difference'. There'll be live music and an eco-friendly fashion show at this family event. Wander through animal welfare and enviro group stalls, view vegan products and enjoy vegan cuisine. All for $5!

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FREE SCREENING OF ‘SHARKWATER’
June 18th
6.15pm – 8pm
NSW Parliament Theatrette
Macquarie Street, Sydney

Sharkwater takes you into the most shark-rich waters of the world, exposing the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world’s shark populations and the marine reserves of Cocos Island, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

The film maker discovers these magnificent creatures have gone from predator to prey, and how despite surviving the earth’s history of mass extinctions, they could be easily wiped out within a few years due to human greed. Hosted by Greens NSW MP Ian Cohen.

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FRANKLIN RIVER 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN HOBART
Tuesday 1 July
6:30pm for 7pm start
Federation Ballroom, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart

Bob Brown invites you to join him, former PM Bob Hawke, former Premier Doug Lowe, Shane Howard from Goanna band, Professor David Bellamy and blockaders and campaigners from across Australia for a night of celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the High Court decision to save the Franklin River.

The night will be a fast-moving panoply of reminiscences, music, film footage and spectacular photography of the world-renowned Franklin River. More info at www.franklin25th.com or call 03 6224 3222

Cost: $65/$50 concession + booking fee per person. Book a table for 10 or just come and join one.

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CAMP FOR CLIMATE ACTION
July 10-15
Newcastle

The camp for climate action will be 6 days of inspiring workshops & direct action aimed at shutting down the world's largest coal port in Newcastle, just north of Sydney. If you are concerned about climate change, and want real action instead of more hot air, then we encourage you to come, bring your friends and family and get involved. Whether you are old or young, a seasoned protestor or if you've never been to a protest in your life, if you share our passion for climate action, then climate camp is for you! See http://www.climatecamp.org.au/ for more details.

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GREENS NEPAL TREK
27 October – 15 November

The Victorian Greens is organising a group to go trekking in Nepal between 27 October and 15 November this year as a fundraiser. However, we want a good-sized group to go (ideally a dozen or more people) and
can't commit a lot of resources to recruiting them, so if you can recruit any participants, we will give your state party the extra resulting funds. See http://www.vic.greens.org.au/get-involved/fundraising/nepal-trek for
more information.

3. WHAT'S ON

PALESTINIAN CHILDREN SHARE DREAMS OF HOME
Wed - Sun, 21 May to 1 June
11am-4pm
Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Pidcock St., Camperdown NSW
(off Mallet St., under Camperdown Bowling Club)

An exhibition of photographs taken by children of Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem

'Dreams of Home' results from a project that explored issues of identity as Lajee Center's children went back home to their original villages to seek out links between the memories of survivors of Al Nakba and the contemporary realities of these depopulated villages.

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COMMUNITY PROTEST: SOMBREROS MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN CRONULLA
Friday 30 May
6pm – 8pm
Shop 7 / 20 Gerrale Street, Cronulla

Basilio Reyes was sacked by a Cronulla Restaurant after taking time off to receive cancer treatment and is now homeless and unemployed. The Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union has taken the case to the
Industrial Relations Commission, recovering unpaid entitlements. However the company will not back down on their refusal to pay the medical expenses or their decision to sack Mr Reyes while he underwent cancer
treatment.

Protests are happening each Friday, however a larger presence is planned for 30 May including a traditional Maori Haka.

Can’t make it to one of the Friday night protests? Why not politely contact Sombreros Mexican Restaurant and urge the company to pay Basilio Reyes his legal entitlements: Phone: (02) 9544 4750 Email: sombreros@sombreros.com.au

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FORUM: THE ISRAEL-PALESTINE QUESTION, XPRESSO WITH ANTONY LOEWENSTEIN
Saturday 31 May
7pm for a 7:30 start
Rydges Hotel, Cnr. Strickland Street and Hume Highway, Bass Hill

Al-Ghazzali Centre’s XpressO is hosting Mr. Antony Loewenstein, the author of the best selling “My Israel Question”, in a conversation to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian Question, which despite numerous “peace
talks” is yet to show any sign of peace in the Middle East region. The forum will allow the audience to discuss with Mr. Loewenstein about the root problems, solutions and what we can do to foster co-existence and
peace.

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DESIGN WORKSHOP FOR BANNERS AND POSTERS.
Sunday 1 June
12 noon – 5pm
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre

Come along to a session of planning, designing and drawing of banners, posters and flyers for future demonstrations and events. Street theatre and web site participants are also welcome. It is intended to be a relaxed, cooperative and guided workshop which will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas. It is also hoped to establish an improved network of artists, designers and participants to help facilitate an increased standard of visuals leading up to and during street demonstrations. Talent is not a requirement because everybody's contributions would be more than welcome. All you need to bring for the day is an A3 sketch pad, lead pencil, pens suitable for both bold and refined sketches, correction fluid, glue stick and adhesive tape. Facilitator: Richard Gregory (Retired visual arts teacher and lecturer and practicing illustrator and artist). Tel: 0411893241.

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A VISIT TO PIGFACE POINT: AN ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE EDUCATIONAL SITE
Sunday 1 June
Guided tour begins 9.30am
Pigface Point is a 10 minute walk from East Hills train station.

Pigface Point is being developed as an educational site that will introduce people to these themes, especially the existence of workable and attractive alternatives, ie. to "The Simpler Way". Pigface Point is not a community -- Council zoning permits only two houses on the site. The main purpose of the site is not to provide an example of how all should live, but to have displays, models, etc, which point towards the sorts of changes that will have to be made in our settlements, our economy and in our technologies in order for our society to become sustainable. Much material on the themes dealt with at Pigface Point is located at http://ssis.arts.unsw.edu.au/tsw/

RSVP to F.Trainer@unsw.edu.au. We do not charge for tours or courses. Please allow 2 –3 hours for the guided tour. Bring children if you wish, and lunch for after the tour. You might want to bring mosquito repellent and hat in summer, and/or raincoat for walking through the bush.

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THE JAPANESE WHALES CASE: IMPLICATIONS FOR AUSTRALIA AND BEYOND
Thursday 5 June
3.30 – 7pm
Sydney Law School, 173-175 Phillip Street, Sydney

Presented by the Sydney Centre for International Law at the University of Sydney. The event is open to all, but registration is essential. Full details of the seminar and registration form can be downloaded via the following link: http://www.law.usyd.edu.au/scil/pdf/WhaleForum5.6.08.pdf

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WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AWARDS DINNER
5 June
6:45pm sharp
Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay (for 3 hour harbour cruise)

Join us in celebrating the efforts of conservationists on magnificent Sydney Harbour
Book your tickets ($80/$65) by phone (02) 9279 2466
You can RSVP on the website, www.nccnsw.org.au

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A BEAUTIFUL SET OF NUMBERS?
Wednesday, June 11
6.30pm-8.00pm
Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts (SMSA), 280 Pitt St, Sydney

Budget Bounce! Forward estimates! Big spending! Swingeing cuts! Fight inflation first! Razor gangs! Fiscal conservatives!

Three guest speakers go beyond the budget buzzwords to interrogate the budget process in general and Rudd Labor’s first budget in particular.

Speakers:
Evan Jones will talk on the history, status and character of the budgetary process.
Amanda McCormack will discuss the 2008 budget in the context of Rudd’s ‘education revolution’.
Ben Spies-Butcher will focus on targeting, tax expenditures and the welfare state.

Please contact Troy Henderson at troyh@search.org.au if you can make it.

4. HOT WEBSITE TIPS

http://www.fanista.com/burmaitcantwait/
A project of the US Campaign for Burma, featuring 30 video clips in 30 days

5. CAMPAIGNS

PUBLIC POWER NOT PRIVATE PROFIT

On Thursday 15 May, Premier Iemma gave notice of 3 bills to be introduced in June to give the government the power to sell the retail and generation businesses of the electricity industry.

Their legislation is a direct challenge to the Coalition and Upper House ALP members who could still vote with the Greens to stop the sell-off. Sale of the generators has never before been on the government’s public agenda. The Electricity Industry Restructuring Bill has now exposed their big lie that all assets would remain under public control. It gives the executive government the power to sell off the generators. Premier Iemma and Treasurer Costa have thumbed their noses at their own party, the unions, the parliament and the people of NSW.

Take action:
* Send a protest email to members of parliament to keep up the pressure on them – go to www.johnkaye.org.au/eprotest for details.
* Visit your local MP, especially if you are based in regional NSW, to ask them to oppose privatisation.

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KEEP IT LOCAL – PROTECT COMMUNITIES FROM DANGEROUS NEW PLANNING LAWS

The NSW Government is introducing new pro-developer laws that are tipping the balance away from local communities towards developers. The laws will not only drastically reduce funding for services like libraries, parks and playgrounds but also take away your right to have a say in local developments that affect you. The new laws haven’t been approved so now is the time to help fight the pro-developer laws by emailing your local MP.

Under the new laws, private companies will now be able to approve residential developments. These companies will not need to notify you and your avenues to object will be lost. The first you will know of your neighbour’s major renovation is when the builders arrive at 7am with the jackhammers! Once your sunshine and views are gone it’s too late.

Help tip the balance back in favour of local communities by emailing your local MP here http://www.keepitlocal.org.au

6. JOB ADVERTISEMENTS AND VOLUNTEER POSITIONS