Local Government News

Larry Anthony
National News

$11.8m for renewable energy

Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker, Sunshine Sugar CEO Greg Messitter and Richmond MP Larry Anthony.

I had the great pleasure last week of joining Member for Page, Ian Causley, and Member for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker, in announcing $11.8 million in Australian Government funding that will kick start one of Australia's largest electricity generation projects right here in the Northern Rivers.

The NSW Sugar Cogeneration project will put an end to cane burning and the infamous 'black snow', while developing green energy for the State electricity grid.

The project will involve two 30 MW renewable energy plants at Condong Mill on the Tweed River and Broadwater Mill on the Richmond River, which will supply over 400 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity every year. The projects will also create almost 300 local jobs.

In real terms the project will meet 5 per cent of Australia's renewable energy targets and generate half of the Tweed Valley's and a third of the Richmond Valley's total electricity needs.

Cane trash and sugar cane waste would provide the main source of fuel for generators, with green waste used as supplements during the non-crush season.

The project will make a substantial contribution to the nation's greenhouse commitments, through increasing air quality and using green waste to create energy.

Aged care boost

The Northern Rivers will share in a total of 525 new Coalition Government-funded aged care places over the next three years.

The increase in places will ensure that our local communities can provide sufficient aged care services and facilities to accommodate the increasing elderly population on the Northern Rivers.

Seniors and aged care is a central focus and I have had the Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, in the electorate twice in just the last month canvassing local needs and concerns. This has had a significant impact on ensuring our region gets the attention it needs and deserves.

Information on the distribution of the new places is detailed in the publication 2004 Regional Distribution of Aged Care Places, which is available by phoning 1800 500 853 or from www.ageing.health.gov.au/acar2004.

Labor's destructive IR policy

I am very concerned with potential effects the Australian Labor Party's Industrial Relations policy could have on small businesses and jobs in regional communities on the Northern Rivers such as Alstonville and Ballina.

The Labor policy, released this week, will, among other things, introduce a national payroll tax costing more than $270 million and 5,000 jobs and mandated compulsory union bargaining and interference in every workplace.

Mark Latham just doesn't understand the impact of his policy on the Australian economy.

Former Keating adviser, John Edwards, has warned that Labor's plan to "re-empower" the AIRC would "introduce the worst aspects of the old award system... the Australian industrial relations system could thus leap back to the 1960s and the 1970s, when the Arbitration Commission routinely determined actual wages."

It concerns me greatly that this would rocket our local communities back into the industrial dark ages when unemployment soared and real wages fell.

Larry Anthony MP
Federal Member for Richmond
Minister for Children & Youth Affairs
PO Box 6996 Tweed Heads South 2486 ph: 07 5524 2466 fax: 07 5524 9366
www.larry.com.au Toll Free: 1800 812 125 larry.anthony.mp@aph.gov.au

Ian Causley
Canberra Connection

Last chance for seniors

I would like to remind residents to nominate a local for an Australian of the Year award.

Nominations close next Friday, August 20, and people should get their nominations in now to ensure they are considered for this year's award.

There are many people in our community who, through their work and contribution, make us proud and enrich the lives of so many people.

This is your opportunity to recognise the work of someone you think is helping to make the Northern Rivers, and Australia, a better place to live.

Nomination forms are available at Commonwealth Bank branches, on-line at www.australianoftheyear.gov.au or may be obtained by phoning my office on 1300 301 735.

Schools entertain Parliament

The Ballina and Alstonville combined primary school band put on a terrific performance in Parliament House's Great Hall on Tuesday.

Members of Parliament and visitors were impressed with the professionalism and enthusiasm of the band and I congratulate all students, staff and parents on a job well done.

Farmers' handbook

A new handbook has been published to help Australian horticultural producers respond to the demands of European retailers.

The handbook, Guidelines for implementing EUREPGAP(r) for Australian fresh fruit and vegetable producers, is a consolidated reference to help suppliers understand the impact of the EUREPGAP(r) standard for those supplying individual European retailers.

Europe is an important market for Australian horticultural exports with Pink Lady apples, onions, table grapes and stone fruit the leading items.

As European retailers are imposing timeframes for suppliers to implement business-to-business assurance systems in 2004, Australian horticultural exporters must be in a position to take full advantage of the opportunities available.

The guidelines include a background to the development of EUREPGAP(r), practical information for Australian producers to interpret the standard and links to sources of advice and information.

Copies are available by contacting the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on (02) 6272 3317. The handbook is also available on the department's web site - www.daff.gov.au.

Labor snubs retirees

Self-funded retirees living on the Northern Rivers have again been snubbed by the NSW Labor Government.

The NSW Labor Government has again rejected the Coalition Government's offer to save Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders an average of nearly $700 a year on their rates, car registration, electricity charges, water and sewerage.

This is a blow for self-funded retirees - an important group in the community who have provided for their own retirement.

Despite being a State responsibility, the Coalition Government believes these concessions for our seniors are justified in recognition of the enormous contribution self-funded retirees have made, and continue to make to Australia.

The Coalition Government offered the States and Territories $75 million to provide concessions for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

The Coalition Government's offer is generous because we were asking the States and Territories to pay less than half of the costs, even though it is their responsibility.

I am disappointed the NSW Labor Government has snubbed self-funded retirees by declining this offer. Only Western Australia and South Australia have agreed to negotiate with the Coalition Government.

It is time the NSW Labor Government stopped playing politics with this issue and immediately take up this offer to assist self-funded retirees.

For further information please contact my electorate office on 1300 301 735, or send me an email: ian.causley.mp@aph.gov.au.