Local Government News
 Thomas
George
Canberra Connection
Women's Day
I am calling for nominations from the community for Lismore Electorate Woman of the Year. On United Nations International Women's Day - March 8, 2005 - the NSW Office for Women is recognising the achievements and leadership of women across the state both in business and their local community. Honouring women for their contribution to our communities is an important means of building the confidence and pride of all women, and encourages other women and girls by publicly presenting role models. A nominee may be a teacher, nurse, a business woman, author, community worker or even a sports person, as it is also the Year of Sport and Recreation. Nominations forms are available from my office on 6621 3624 or call into 55 Carrington Street (opposite Lismore Post Office). All nominees will be invited to a presentation function to announce the Lismore Electorate Woman of the Year, who will also be presented with an engraved silver goblet. A further invitation will be extended to the winner to attend the Premier's Reception for International Women's Day alongside other winners from across NSW, where the NSW Woman of the Year will be announced. Closing date for nominations is February 18, 2005.
Enclosure permits
I have received advice from the Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly, that he has agreed to two distinct temporary rent concession structures for enclosure permit holders over the next three years. The two structures, one for single enclosure permit holders and one for landowners who hold multiple enclosure permits, are outlined in fact sheets being distributed to all enclosure permit holders. For further information, please contact my office.
Inquiry into community based sentencing options
The Standing Committee on Law and Justice is calling for submissions to its inquiry into Community Based Sentencing Options for Rural and Remote Areas and Disadvantaged Populations. The terms of reference require the Committee to inquire into whether it is appropriate and in the public interest to tailor community based sentencing options for rural remote areas in NSW and for special need/disadvantaged populations. Submissions close on Friday, March 11, and can be sent to The Standing Committee on Law and Justice, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney, 2000, or lodged online at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/lawandjustice.
Clean Up Australia Day 2005
Clean Up Australia Day is on Sunday, March 6. Anyone can organise a Clean Up site. It's as easy as identifying a local park, the street you live in, a waterway or bushland that needs to be cleaned up. To register your site visit www.cleanup.com.au or phone 1800 282 329 and you will be sent a free Clean Up Kit. Business Clean Up Day is Tuesday, March 1, and Schools Clean Up Day is Friday, March 4.
Personal injury compensation inquiry
The General Purpose Standing Committee No. 1 will conduct an inquiry into, and report on, the operations and outcomes of all personal injury compensation legislation approved by the Parliament of New South Wales from 1999, with particular reference to:
- The impact on employment in rural and regional communities;
- The impact on community events and activities, and community groups;
- The impact on insurance premium levels and the availability of cost-effective insurance;
- The level and availability of Compulsory Third Party motor accident premiums required to fund claims cost if changes had not been implemented in 1999; and the impact on the WorkCover scheme if changes had not been implemented in 2001; and
- Any other issue that the Committee considers to be of relevance to the inquiry.
Submissions close on Friday, March 11, and can be sent to The General Purpose Standing Committee No. 1, Legislative Council, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney, 2000, or lodged online at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au.
Organ Donor Awareness Week
Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week will this year be held from February 18-25 to promote organ and tissue donation, encourage Australians to become organ donors and to highlight the importance of families knowing each other's intentions regarding donation. In 2004 the donor rate increased by over 17 per cent and it's hoped this positive trend will continue.
Locusts levy
The NSW Labor Government's decision to lump farmers with an increased levy to fund locust plague control has enraged farmers. When the Pest Insect Destruction fund ran out last year, Labor decided a $14 million loan to farmers was acceptable, despite promising the levy would not increase. Farmers have been enraged by comments made by Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald that while a 500 per cent increase in the locust levy sounds dramatic it only adds up to around $100, a figure Minister Macdonald says farmers would be able to find easily. Minister Macdonald continues to fail to understand that many farmers are flat broke as a result of the drought, floods, crop and stock losses, and the locust plague.
Lifeline funding
Last week the Nationals/Liberal Coalition announced it would guarantee $1.5 million in annual recurrent funding for the Lifeline counselling service if elected to Government in 2007. The Carr Government's funding arrangement was woefully inadequate and not guaranteed. Lifeline provides an essential service to the community without a financial contribution towards operational costs from the Government. This is despite patients being referred to Lifeline from NSW Health and other State Government agencies.
Office contacts
Address: PO Box 52, Lismore, NSW, 2480
Phone: 6621 3624
Fax: 6622 1403
Email: lismore@parliament.nsw.gov.au or www.thomasgeorge.com.au
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