Local Government News

Don Page
State Matters

Tsunami Disaster

My thoughts are with the many victims of the devastating Tsunami disaster including those local families who have been directly affected by the tragedy.

If there is any comfort in this event, it is that ordinary citizens have overwhelmingly given support to the many charity organisations and NGO's working to bring comfort and relief to those hurt by the disaster.

This Sunday, January 16, is a national day of mourning for the victims of the tsunami. It is an opportunity for us all to reflect on this terrible tragedy.

Year of Sport

2005 has been declared the UNESCO International Year of Sport and Physical Education. It is an opportunity for all of us to take up a sport, try a new sport, take an active holiday and improve our health, fitness and quality of life.

Alarmingly, the number of overweight children in Australia doubled over the 15-year period from 1985 to 1997, whilst the number of obese children increased fourfold over the same period. The problem has become so significant that almost one in five children and adolescents, are now either overweight or obese.

The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation is a partner in this programme and I encourage the NSW Minister to look at ways of supporting the establishment of more sporting facilities in our community. This should include a doubling in funding for the Capital Assistance Program which has remained stable at $4 million over the past five years despite inflation, population growth, and the increasing need in our communities for sport and recreational facilities.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan states, "sport can play a role in improving the lives of individuals, not only individuals, I might add, but whole communities. I am convinced that the time is right to build on that understanding, to encourage governments, development agencies and communities to think how sport can be included more systematically in the plans to help children, particularly those living in the midst of poverty, disease and conflict."

I encourage all local residents to support the 2005 Year of Sport and Physical Education.

Information from my office

The following is a list of just some of the State Government information available from my office;

• Seniors Card Applications
• Applications for becoming a Justice of the Peace
• Renomination forms for existing Justices of the Peace
• Congratulatory messages for certain Birthday and Wedding anniversaries
• How to correctly prepare a petition for tabling in State Parliament
• Details of government grants and funding opportunities
• Enrolling to vote
• Changing your address on the electoral role
• Details of public holidays and daylight saving
• Supply of State Flags to approved community organisations

Please do not hesitate to contact me on the numbers listed below should you require any of these items.

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

Welcome to 2005. I trust everyone had an enjoyable, safe and relaxing Christmas and New Year season.

Tsunami Disaster

All of us have been shocked and distressed by the loss of life and devastation caused by the tsunami that hit many of our Asian neighbours on Boxing Day. This disaster has united all Australians and like everyone else I have been overwhelmed by the combined support being provided from around the world, especially our Nation.

Seniors Week Grants

I was pleased to receive details of grant allocations to assist 15 local organisations in their Seniors Week activities planned for the Lismore electorate. These grants are provided through the Ageing and Disability Department to assist with the organisation of local Seniors Week programs. Recipients of grants are: $500 - Assoc. of Independent Retirees; $495 - Bonalbo & District Development Assoc. Inc; $500 - Casino/Kyogle HACC Flexible Service Inc; $500 - Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Assoc. Lismore Branch; $500 - Goonellabah Senior Citizens Club; $500 -Kyogle Community Technology Centre; $400 - Maranoa Centres for Assisted Living; $400 - Nimbin 50+ Learning Centre; $300 - Nimbin Community Technology Centre; $500 - Nimbin Health & Welfare Assoc. Inc; $1000 - Richmond Valley Council; $300 - Senior Citizens Sunshine Club; $500 - St Joseph's Aged Care/Friends Volunteers Services, St Vincent's Hospital; $400 - Upper Clarence Community & Economic Development Organisation; $500 - Upper Clarence Valley Senior Citizens

Workplace death laws

The Carr Government's recently released Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Amendment (Workplace Fatalities) Bill 2004, is a Draft Consultation Bill and the Government has given no indication as to when it might bring the Bill before the Parliament for debate.

The NSW Coalition has a number of major concerns with this legislation. The NSW Coalition is determined to work with employers and employees to achieve maximum workplace safety. We believe this is best achieved through a strong program of workplace education involving employers and employees. Punitive sanctions should be available but should only be used as a last resort.

This legislation, whilst it imposes severe penalties and denies fundamental rights, does not advance workplace safety and will not make a single workplace in NSW safer. The NSW Coalition held a summit on 21 December 2004 with concerned businesses and industry groups to determine how best to oppose the objectives of this Bill when the legislation comes before the Parliament. Trade union representatives were also at the summit. The NSW Coalition will oppose this Bill and will vote against it.

The NSW Coalition will support all reasonable measures to ensure workplace safety and to minimise industrial accidents. More information can be requested from my office.

Natural Resource submissions

The Standing Committee on Natural Resource Management is calling for submissions relating to its inquiry into the following terms of reference -

(a) current disincentives that exist for ecologically sustainable land and water use in New South Wales;

(b) options for the removal of such disincentives and any consequences in doing so.

Submissions should be addressed to - The Committee Manager, Standing Committee on Natural Resource Management, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000 or can be lodged online at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/naturalresources. The closing date is 14 February 2005.

Dangerous Goods laws

WorkCover NSW is working with other government agencies, industry and the wider community to update NSW's chemical management legislative framework. Known as the Dangerous Goods Program, it is looking at legislation covering dangerous goods, explosives and major hazard facilities. This update to the legislation will help to ensure there are fewer deaths, injuries, illnesses and incidents arising out of the storage and handling of dangerous goods. To achieve this aim, the modernised legislation will provide a hierarchy of risk management control measures that are in proportion to the level of hazard. For more information www. workcover.nsw.gov.au/LawAndPolicy/NewLegislation/dangerous_goods or contact my office. Closing date is 21 February 2005.

Teacher inquiry

The NSW Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues is undertaking an Inquiry into the recruitment and training of teachers, as a result of a request from the Minister for Education and Training. The terms of reference ask that the Committee have particular regard to:

1. the best means of attracting quality teachers to NSW Public Schools and meeting the needs of school communities;

2. the effectiveness and efficiency of current means of recruiting teachers to NSW Public Schools, including

1. recent graduates

2. career change teachers

3. differences and similarities between primary and secondary school recruitment needs

4. existing initiatives and programs of the Department of Education and Training, including

1. Teach NSW

2. scholarships for undergraduates

3. accelerated training courses

5. the role of the NSW Institute of Teachers and its accreditation and endorsement requirements

6. the role, distribution and effectiveness of university pre-service teacher education

7. any other matter arising from these terms of reference

Submissions may be sent to - The Director, Standing Committee on Social Issues, Legislative Council, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000 or electronically at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Closing date is 21 February 2005.

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; lismore@parliament.nsw.gov.au or www.thomasgeorge.com.au