Local Government News

Steve Cansdell
National News

Federal Election

The re-election of Ian Causley and the Coalition Federal Government is clearly good news for the Northern Rivers. This is not just my view, since Mr Causley won with an increased majority.

The incoming Government's $12 million Sustainable Regions election pledge for the Richmond and Clarence valleys will generate many new local jobs and reduce the impact of the Labor State Government's savage public service job cuts across country NSW.

The pilot Sustainable Regions program introduced for the area between Kyogle/Lismore and the Queensland border in 2001 has generated or secured hundreds of jobs and similar good news will now be forthcoming for the Richmond and Clarence valleys.

I am also pleased with the Coalition's health initiatives to boost Medicare. We now need a similar commitment from the Carr State Government to boost our local hospitals.

Casino to join Clarence

The independent State Electorate Office is finalising boundary changes to state electorates, including those of Clarence, Lismore and Ballina. Boundary changes are necessary from time to time to ensure each electorate is made up of a comparable number of voters. On the North Coast electorates have been shifting northwards because of the rapid population growth of the Tweed.

The current proposal would see my electorate of Clarence gain the town of Casino from the Lismore electorate ably represented by Thomas George.

Lismore in turn would pick up Murwillumbah from the electorate of Tweed (less ably represented by the Labor Party's Neville Newell).

While Casino residents may find it odd to be part of Clarence, it is important to understand that the rest of Richmond Valley is already in the Clarence electorate. If the proposals do go through in their current form I pledge to work just as hard for the new areas I would represent as the old ones.

In any event the changes will not be formally implemented until the next state election in March 2007.

Ian Causley
Canberra Connection

Thanks for the privilege

I am very grateful for the opportunity afforded to me by the people of the Page electorate to serve a fourth term in the Australian Federal Parliament as a result of the October 9 election.

I am honoured to have been chosen to represent the people of Page once again. As the Federal Nationals Member for Page I take my responsibilities seriously and will continue to strongly represent my constituents over the next term of government.

I am proud to be a part of the Howard/Anderson team and look forward to working with the Government to ensure the needs of rural and regional Australia are met. Much has been achieved over the last eight years but there is more to be done and I am pleased to now be in a position to ensure ongoing funding and opportunities for the Page electorate over the next three years.

My wife June and I appreciate the support shown to us over the campaign period and wish to publicly thank our supporters, the band of volunteers who helped during the campaign and on election day, the campaign committee, my dedicated staff and our family. I look forward to serving the constituents of Page once again.

HSC students

With the start of the Higher School Certificate examinations this week I take this opportunity to offer my encouragement and best wishes to the students. I appreciate the work involved by not only the students but their teachers and families in preparing for these important exams.

I trust the students will approach their exams with the desire to do their best which is all they or anyone can and should expect of them. I wish them well now and for the future and hope they will achieve success in the career paths they have chosen.

Congratulations and best wishes for the future.

Australia Day honours

Thinking of nominating someone for an Order of Australia award? The Australian honours system celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of extraordinary Australians in a diverse range of fields and areas of endeavour.

Any individual, community organisation, professional body or similar group can nominate an Australian citizen for an award.

There are four levels of the Order of Australia: Companion of the Order (AC) - for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or to humanity at large; Officers of the Order (AO) - for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large; Member of the Order (AM) - for service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group; and Medal of the Order (OAM) - for service worthy of particular recognition.

The names of successful nominees are published twice a year on Australia Day (January 26) and the Queens Birthday in June.

More information regarding the Order of Australia and nomination forms can be obtained from my office by calling 1300 301 735 or by calling into 63 Molesworth Street, Lismore.

Congratulatory messages

Do you know someone who is celebrating a 90th plus birthday or a 50th plus wedding anniversary? If so, you can arrange for special congratulatory messages to be sent to them from the Prime Minister, Governor General and other dignitaries on a State and Federal level.

Also on the occasion of a 60th Wedding Anniversary or 100th birthday a special acknowledgement from the Queen will be sent. Messages can be a lovely surprise for relatives and friends. Messages can be arranged by calling my office on 1300 301 735.

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