Local Government News
 Don
Page
State Matters
Resourcing Highway Patrols
With the Pacific Highway passing through the Ballina electorate, I am very concerned that since the early to mid-1990s there has been no increase in Highway Patrol officers in the North Coast area, despite a huge increase in traffic including heavy vehicles, and this area having among the highest fatalities in the state.
An internal leaked document held by the NSW Opposition shows the Highway Patrol has lower visibility on our highways than five years ago.
The documents, charting the number of kilometres travelled by Highway Patrol vehicles in all Local Area Commands in the Northern Region, show that the number of kilometres travelled by all Highway Patrols in the Northern Region has dropped from 4,765,334 in 1998 to 4,262,636 in 2003 - more than 500,000 kilometres a year.
This means there are less police observing and policing driver behaviour on Northern Region roads, including the Pacific Highway. The Highway Patrol police do an excellent job but they are not being adequately resourced by the NSW Labor Government.
The RTA website states that the NSW road toll is significantly higher than for the same period last year. The fatality total in NSW for the first eight months of 2004 is 355, which is 17 more than the total for the first eight months of 2003. It is therefore unacceptable to see less resources being directed to Highway Patrols.
Police say, in some cases, resources have been taken from Highway Patrol to undertake activities such as firearm audits. In my view, a visible police presence on our roads is an important deterrent to bad driver behaviour such as speeding. It also makes people more conscious of how they are driving.
An additional benefit of highway patrol is that sometimes speeding motorists when stopped are found upon inspection to be in possession of firearms or stolen property.
Industrial Relations On-line
The NSW Department of Industrial Relations have a range of free on-line services with information on pay rates, award conditions and leave entitlements for those who have access to the Internet.
The industrial awards section includes information about job or workplace descriptions, award conditions as well as full copies of relevant awards.
Pay rate updates include the latest information about changes to pay rates and award conditions and visitors can subscribe to a free email service about pay rate changes.
For those interested in calculating relevant wages, there is a section to check pay and calculate leave entitlements.
The website is located at www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au. Industrial relations information is also available over the phone by calling 131 628.
Daylight Saving
Daylight saving commences on Sunday, October 31, at 2am, when clocks are put forward one hour.
It is interesting to note that the regulation of time is a State Government responsibility and in New South Wales the Standard Time Act 1987 governs standard time and daylight saving. Amendments to the Act are made by the Parliament of NSW and need a majority vote in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.
I can be contacted by writing to PO Box 1018, Ballina 2478 or by telephoning my Electorate Office on 6686 7522 or faxing 6686 7470. For those on-line my e-mail address is Don.Page@parliament.nsw.gov.au
 Thomas
George
Canberra Connection
Federal election
Congratulations to Ian Causley, Federal Member for Page, and his local team on a resounding victory in the Federal Election held on the weekend.
The election result is a significant milestone for Australia because it enables the Federal Coalition and Prime Minister John Howard, together with his team, to secure the gains of the past eight years and continue to build a prosperous future through a strong economy.
Blood Bank services
Following my indications, during a recent opening of a Red Cross Conference, that rural Blood Bank services in our area need attention, yesterday I met to raise and highlight concerns of this issue with the Australian Red Cross public relations manager together with other representatives of this area in order to have this situation reassessed and examined.
Parliamentary Inquiries
Currently the following Parliamentary inquiries are seeking submissions:
- Academics' Paid Outside Work
- Back-end home detention
- Follow-up review of performance audit report on Corporate Governance
- Inquiry into Reporting and Audit Requirements for Small Agencies
- Inquiry into the Joint Use and Co-location of Public Buildings
- Natural Resource Management Issues - Inquiry into Term of Reference (f)
- Natural Resource Management Issues - Inquiry into Terms of Reference (c) & (d)
- Review of road safety administration in NSW
- Review of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988
- Review of the Operation of Audit Committees
- Speed and motor vehicles: Vehicle-based measures to monitor, manage and control speed
- Sustainability Reporting in the NSW Public Sector Inquiry.
Seniors Week
The 2005 Seniors Week Achievement Awards Program is now open.
The Seniors Week Achievement Awards is a prestigious annual event that highlights and recognises NSW seniors for their outstanding contribution to our communities, for their leadership and for their initiative. In 2005 a group or an individual can be nominated in one of the following categories:
- Business mentoring
- Community service and volunteering
- Education/life-long learning
- Environment/Science
- Health and well-being
- Intergenerational understanding.
Application forms are available from my office. Nominations close at 5pm on Friday, November 5, 2004.
Electorate functions
Kyogle Show - I was pleased to attend and officially open the re-established Kyogle Show for 2004. Congratulations to Brian Hannigan and his committee on their tireless efforts to reinstate this important local event. As part of the Kyogle Show, the CRT Eden Country Store Prime Vealer Competition was a tremendous success. Well done to Ron and Rita Martin for their organisation and support in providing sponsorship for this event.
The committee, together with their team of volunteers, had their hard work and dedication positively acknowledged by public attendance as well as the success enjoyed by the exhibitors.
Cancer Council Relay for Life - congratulations to survivors, carers and participants who took part in this important event. I had the honour of being present for the opening and the lap undertaken by carers and survivors. I wish to praise the coordinating efforts of Don Whitelaw, John Bancroft and the many volunteers of Lismore's Relay for Life Committee. Kate Mitchelson's recitation of the 'Relay for Life Oath' set the scene for a very successful day.
Lismore Unlimited After hours at Fantastic Furniture - Together with members of Lismore Unlimited, I enjoyed the hospitality of Shane and his staff.
I welcome and invite your feedback in relation to any of the above matters, please do not hesitate to contact my office regarding any matters on (ph) 6621 3624, (f) 6622 1403, by writing to PO Box 52 Lismore, e-mail; thomas.george@parliament.nsw.gov.au or www.thomasgeorge.com.au
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