Local Government News

Don Page
State Matters

Health Administration

I was pleased to raise the issue of NSW health administration in State Parliament last week. The way we run our hospitals and health services is an important issue for regional communities.

The Carr Government's plan for health services abolishes the existing area health service boards, it establishes area health advisory councils, and establishes a Health Executive Service. The Government claims that those structural changes are all about savings, however, there is nothing in the Government's plan to guarantee that regional areas will benefit from the restructure. I am a supporter of an alternative model which has hospital boards to ensure that local communities have a real say in health decisions and at the same time achieve administrative savings that would be redirected into front-line services. Hospitals with more than 4,500 patients a year would have their own board, while hospitals with less than 4,500 patients a year would combine to have a board that would speak for a number of smaller hospitals. The model proposed by the Coalition meets the twin objectives of giving the community a real say while still running an efficient operation. The model chosen by the Government gives health bureaucrats all the power over decision making, while the community has no real say because the advisory boards are precisely that - advisory only.In making the area health services bigger there is a concern that there will be further diminution of local input into decisions, greater centralisation of administration and, at the end of the day, inferior local services.

The Northern Rivers Area Health Service board will be officially abolished under the State Government's plan. Although I did not agree with everything that board did, I defend it in the sense that it did have some local influence. It is vital that local communities have a say in the way their health services are administered.

People with a Disability

This year's theme for International Day of People with a Disability, December 3, is 'Don't DIS my ABILITY'. The theme aims to challenge perceptions about disabilities.

In the Ballina Shire there will be a three-day arts and craft exhibition showcasing the creative talents of people with a disability living in the area. The exhibition will be held from Wednesday, December 1 until Friday, December 3 and will conclude with a concert and awards presentation.

The venue for the exhibition is the Christian Outreach Centre, North Creek Rd, Ballina. Entry is free and the exhibition will be open from 9.30am to 3.30pm daily.

If you are travelling to other parts of the state I have a full schedule of events available.

Driver Drug-testing

I have welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Roads of the introduction of driver drug-testing in NSW.

In my view, NSW has been dragging its feet on this issue for some time. Driver drug-testing is an issue I first raised 10 months ago and I am pleased the State Government now sees the merit in roadside drug-testing. Victoria has been investigating drug-testing technology for some time.

With major highways passing through the Far North Coast region, it is vital that we implement sensible road safety measures like driver drug-testing.

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

Draft Native Vegetation Regulation

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) is calling for comments on the way native vegetation will be managed in NSW. The draft regulation and supporting documents are currently on exhibition and will guide the implementations of the Native Vegetation Act 2003. Three key documents are on exhibition;

• Draft Native Vegetation Regulation 2004
• Draft Environmental Outcomes Assessment Methodology
• Regulatory Impact Statement.

A support package is available and written submissions close at 5pm on Tuesday, December 21, and can be lodged at nativeveg@dipnr.nsw.gov.au, fax 9762 8701, or posted to Native Vegetation Reform Submissions, Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, GPO Box 39, Sydney, NSW, 2001. The above information can be downloaded from www.dipnr.nsw.gov.au.

Muli Muli Water Supply

Last week in Parliament I questioned the Minister for Energy & Utilities as to why the water supply projects at Urbenville, Woodenbong and Muli Muli had been pushed down the priority list and the subsidy cut when the water supply is worse than most third world countries. I am pleased to now advise that since raising this matter Mr Sartor has informed me he has moved the projects ranking up from six to three.

Portable Humidicrib

Following concerns expressed to me regarding the separation of a mother and her baby, The Nationals raised a question in Parliament last week, highlighting the need to audit hospital equipment and prevent this situation occurring again. Thankfully, the Minister expressed his apology and a new humidicrib arrived at the Lismore Base Hospital on Wednesday last week. The use of outdated and defective equipment would not be tolerated in a Sydney hospital, so why should we!

Local Students

Many students who completed the HSC this year would be now preparing for further studies, job opportunities and embarking on new adventures. I would like to wish you all well in your future endeavours and trust that you all follow your chosen journey into careers and adult life with zest and determination. For those pursuing employment, the following websites may be useful www.jobs.nsw.gov.au and www.daa.dwps. nsw.gov.au selecting 'NSW Government jobs'.

Home Bill Hits Home

ALP Members of the Legislative Council have been called on by Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Chris Hartcher, to pay more attention to the Home Building Amendment Bill 2004 after last week's passing of the Bill through the Legislative Assembly.

The Bill had the spoken support of only a handful of Government members. It was a glaring display of how arrogant the Carr Government has become - they introduced this legislation and did so without any proper industry consultation and without the support of the two largest industry groups; the Master Builders Association and the Housing Industry Association. The Government's Bill will create a governing council for the industry with two union representatives. This is despite the fact the Home Building Industry is totally non-unionised.

This Bill is unfair, inequitable and unworkable. The Government should never have introduced it and Government members know it. Only a few Government MPs had the guts to support this Bill because in doing so, each of them is signing the death sentence of small businesses in their own electorates. The Carr Government used its numbers to force this Bill through the house without proper investigation of the affect this legislation will have on the building industry.

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