Local Government News

Justine Elliot
National News

Meet your new MP

I'd like to thank all the people of Alstonville and Wollongbar and surrounding areas who supported me at the Federal election. Last Thursday I had the honour of being declared the new Member for Richmond.

I have since set up an office in Tweed Heads South, and encourage everyone to phone or visit. My door is always open, and it doesn't matter how big or small the problem, I'll do everything in my power to resolve it.

I am looking forward to catching up with all those people who I have met over the past year at community events, from local organisations or when I have been doorknocking the area. I hope that I can continue to meet with many of you, and for those of you who I haven't met personally yet, I look forward to doing so soon.

I'd also like to be kept up to date with the issues that are important to you. If you have a community event or meeting organised, I'll do my best to be there.

As your representative in Canberra, my priorities for the area include ensuring the Alstonville bypass is completed on time, and that work begins promptly on the Ballina bypass. At the same time, I will be fighting to make sure the Casino to Murwillumbah train line is re-opened, and that the federal Government provides the money that's needed without dipping into the budget for local roads.

Those of us who have been enjoying the relaxed lifestyle of the North Coast for a long time know that it's being discovered by people from the cities. More than ever before, people are moving to the North Coast to retire or to raise their families. This is putting extraordinary pressure on our services, and I'll be working hard with our state and local government representatives to ensure we have controlled development, and that local services can keep up with the boom in population.

As a mother, I know how important it is to have health services we can rely on. During the election campaign, I emphasised the importance of bulk billing, and I will be working with local doctors, community groups and all levels of Government to finds ways to encourage doctors to bulk bill and lessen the burden on families and elderly people.

I also made it clear that I would be working hard to ensure there were enough aged care beds on the North Coast, to cut the waiting lists and get people out of hospital who should be in aged care facilities. It's time the federal Government addressed this problem as a priority.

As the Member for Richmond I'll be pressuring the Federal Government to fulfil their obligations to the North Coast whether it's in aged care, health care, roads and transport or education. Again, I thank you for your support and look forward to representing this community in Canberra.

Ian Causley
Canberra Connection

The road ahead

The dust has settled and the Howard/Anderson Government has been returned with an increased majority for a fourth term.

For the first time since Malcolm Fraser, the Government also has the majority in the Senate. The prophets of doom have been proclaiming that this is a threat to democracy, but in reality the people have democracy in their hands every three years. The Senate was set up by the states to protect State rights. But even if it is considered a house of review, the Senate has been acting as a house of obstruction and used by the minor parties as rule by minority.

Obviously the Government will revisit some of the 140 bills rejected by the previous Senate. Many of these are designed to encourage greater productivity in the Australian economy to protect and improve our standard of living and job opportunities.

The sale of Telstra has been raised as a prospect because of the numbers in the Senate. My position on Telstra has been known for many years. I don't believe a half government-owned Telstra can succeed into the future. Ever since the Labor Party deregulated communications in 1989, unprofitable areas have been at risk. This Government has subsidised regional services to ensure fair treatment for isolated consumers. The real issue in the sale of Telstra is to ensure the Government commits to supporting unprofitable services which are usually in isolated rural Australia. If the Labor Party had not frustrated the sale of Telstra then the taxpayers would have received a much higher return on sale and Telstra would now be in a much stronger corporate position.

The return of the Howard/Anderson Government means it can now concentrate on the regional programs that the National Party has fought for. The Sustainable Regions and Regional Partnerships programs, Black Spot funding, Roads to Recovery and the Natural Heritage Trust have all delivered obvious results for our region.

The next three years will be an exciting time in delivering good government and economic rewards to Australia.

A colleague sorely missed

I wish to acknowledge the tremendous effort of Larry Anthony to the Federal Parliament during his time as a member, parliamentary secretary and Minister over the last eight years.

Larry is to be congratulated on having held the very marginal seat of Richmond for an extended period and should be proud of his representation of the Richmond electorate over this time. He has been a strong voice in Parliament and a respected member of the front bench since 1999, having held the portfolios of Minister for Community Services from July '99 to November 2001 and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs from November 2001.

As a Member of the Federal Parliament Larry was committed to serving the people of Richmond. He was an integral part of the Howard/Anderson Government's front bench and his absence from the Parliament will be noticed. He was a very supportive colleague and it was wonderful to have him on the Nationals team.

I regret that Larry was unable to retain the seat of Richmond as he is a talented politician who gave his all in the job. He can truly be proud of his achievements as a local member and Minister in the Howard/Anderson Government.

National Show

I wish to congratulate the North Coast National A&I Society on putting together a wonderful show again this year.

June and I always enjoy attending the North Coast National and were not disappointed despite the inclement weather conditions. The committee deserves recognition for the effort they put it to produce this great affair. The annual show is an event looked forward to by many people.

I am always impressed by the activities, exhibitions and entertainment provided at the North Coast National and believe they get better each year. The 100 year celebrations of the show being held at the current site was highlighted by the Arena Spectacular, a professional and well coordinated event.

Congratulations to the committee on a job well done. I am sure the spectators enjoyed themselves and appreciate the effort that goes into organising the show. We look forward to another successful North Coast National next year.

Award winners

Congratulations to the winners of the recent Northern Rivers Tourism Awards; Lismore Lantern Parade on winning the Best Regional Festival and/or Event, Ballina Manor as Best Unique Accommodation and Ramada Riverside as joint winner of Best New Tourism Development. What wonderful recognition for the organisations and businesses concerned. I also congratulate Casino VIC and Platypus Gallery on its encouragement award in General Tourism Services and the North Coast Institute of TAFE on receiving an Award of Distinction in the Tourism Education and Training section. The Northern Rivers has much to offer in respect to tourism and these awards highlight what we have on offer to attract tourism to the region.

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