Local Government News

Don Page
State Matters

Workplace Fatalities Bill

It was pleasing to hear last week that employer forums such as those held on the North Coast have resulted in amendments to the State Government's Workplace Fatalities Bill.

However I remain concerned about the ability of a union to bring a prosecution against an employer and keep half the fine. The union only needs the consent of the Minister, which is very likely under Labor because all Labor MPs (including Ministers) have to be members of a union. If this avenue of revenue is not removed for unions, bounty hunting could become commonplace.

There is also still no right to a trial by jury for individuals charged with a workplace fatality. Even murderers get a trial by jury. Why shouldn't a person facing a workplace fatality charge get the same?

I support measures that advance workplace safety and minimise industrial accidents. Employers must be responsible in providing a safe workplace and the great bulk of them do. However, the two changes I suggest really need to be made so the legislation is fair.

2005 NSW Training Awards

Entries are now open for the 2005 NSW Training Awards. These awards recognise achievement in the vocational training sector and are open to trainees, students, training providers, employers and small businesses.

There are twelve separate entry categories:

• NSW Apprentice of the Year;
• NSW Trainee of the Year;
• NSW Vocational Student of the Year;
• NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year;
• NSW Vocational School Student of the Year;
• Minister's Award for a VET in Schools Teacher;
• NSW VET in Schools Excellence Award;
• NSW Large Training Provider of the Year;
• NSW Small Training Provider of the Year;
• NSW Training Initiative Award;
• NSW Employer of the Year; and
• NSW Small Business of the Year.

Entries close next Thursday, May 26, and applications can be found at www.det.nsw.edu.au or by contacting my office.

Alstonville Palms praise

Congratulations to Alstonville Palms on receiving the Environmental Excellence Award for Production Nurseries in Australia at the 2005 Australian Garden Industry Awards in Fremantle.

This is a terrific achievement by an excellent local business.

The Far North Coast is a significant part of the Australian horticultural industry and I congratulate Stan Leach and his team at Alstonville Palms on their success.

Justice of the Peace update

Following amendments to the Justice of the Peace Act made by State Parliament in December 2003, Justice of the Peace appointments now apply for a fixed term of five years, after which a JP must renominate for a further five-year term. All existing JP's are therefore required to renominate to maintain their status as a JP.

Renomination forms for existing JPs are available from my office and include information sheets about the application process. JPs have three years from the implementation of the Act in December 2003 to complete the renomination process.

The renomination application does not have to be endorsed by a Member of Parliament.

Office contacts

Address: PO Box 1018, Ballina, NSW, 2478
Phone: 6686 7522
Fax: 6686 7470
Email: Don.Page@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Thomas George
Canberra Connection

Bruce Duncan

I, like a lot of people in the area, was saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Bruce Duncan, the former Member for Lismore from 1965 to 1987. Mr Duncan was well respected not only this area but throughout the state and around Parliament House with people continually asking me about his progress. Mr Duncan was a true gentleman and a favourite son of our region. He certainly left a legacy and an example for me to follow. I attended his funeral in Sydney and was able to express the thoughts, prayers and sympathy to Mrs Duncan, Ian and Peter, and their families.

Director-General visits Lismore

As I pen this week's column it is rather ironical that it is 12 months since the last train travelled between Murwillumbah and Casino and we all can well remember the efforts of everyone in trying to have the service saved or reinstated. That has not been achieved but I can assure everyone that the mayors, Don Page and myself will continue to pursue a commuter service and the extension of the line through to Queensland to provide every opportunity to both states for passengers, tourism and freight.

I said earlier that it is ironical because for the last two weeks my office and myself have again experienced the community's anger in a much stronger revolt with Kirklands change in their schedule of bus timetables and routes.

Mr John Lee, director general for the Ministry of Transport, visited Lismore and district on Friday to meet with a representation of stakeholders, convened by me, culminating with a meeting with the management of Kirklands. Kirklands were listened to and in the end were informed they had a week to address the problems or under the power of the director general have their contract reviewed.

Since then I have continued to meet with Kirklands and stakeholders, and problems are being attended to, resulting in a better working relationship for everyone.

Yes there are still problems, however, there is a marked improvement and finally everyone is working together. At the end of the day we cannot afford for Kirklands to lose their contract because where are we going to find another company overnight to provide the service that Kirklands covers?

Everyone has gone to great lengths to express that prior to these changes Kirklands and their drivers have always provided an outstanding service.

Nimbin Health Service

I was pleased to attend the opening of Nimbin's new Multi Purpose Service Health Service yesterday. Minister for Health, Morris Iemma, visited the electorate to officiate and also took time to visit the Emergency Unit at Lismore Base Hospital. I also had the opportunity, together with Dr Chris Ingall and Dr Drew Mumford, to reinforce our case for a Cardiac Catheterisation Lab.

Police graduates

I was disappointed to see that despite the recent Graduation of 117 probationary constables, only one extra police officer will be located in a rural and regional area of NSW. 114 of the 117-strong graduating class have been placed in Local Area Commands in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Region while two new officers will be stationed in the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command. One third of the population lives outside of metropolitan NSW yet here we have Labor allocating less than one per cent of the new probationary constables to non-metropolitan NSW. Rural and regional commands, including the Richmond Command, deserve enough police and resources to ensure the command is properly policed. Not only have we been seeking extra police for Nimbin but we continue to have officers off on long-term sick and stress leave creating a major problem as the police force do not have a relief pool.

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