Local MPs
 Larry Anthony
National News
Hang in there Alstonville
I have claimed in the past in this space that the Sydney Labor Government was spending the equivalent of an Alstonville bypass a week in Labor electorates in and around Sydney, thanks to record revenues from the GST, stamp duty and gambling taxes.
It appears this may have been a conservative estimate. The Labor State Government has now finished the $790 million, 14 kilometre M5 East which connects Sydney Labor seats.
Is Alstonville next? Not exactly. They have just started another Sydney pork barrelling exercise, the M4 East which will cost a cool billion dollars. That is more than 41 times the amount the citizens of Alstonville are politely waiting for to build their life-saving bypass.
That is why I was delighted that Deputy Prime Minister, Federal Minister for Transport and National Party Leader John Anderson again agreed to visit Alstonville this week. He promises to ram home the message that NSW must build the bypass.
Mr Anderson is scheduled to meet the Alstonville Bypass Committee and concerned citizens at the Alstonville RSL club, where I know he looks forward to catching up with old friends like the indefatigable Robert Clarence Wilson. Bob to his mates. With the support of his wife Margaret and son Brendan, Bob is one of the chief architects of the campaign to get our bypass.
Labor protesters may have convinced the State-owned energy company to remove the pro-bypass signs from their poles, but they have popped right back up in people's private gardens, where the only way to remove them will be for Sydney Labor to do the right thing.
I convinced my good friend John Anderson to commit $12 million to the project last October, hoping this would shame the Sydney ALP into action. So far that hasn't worked, with NSW Labor Roads Minister Carl Scully claiming our bypass is "a big ask".
Don't give up. You know I won't.
 Ian Causley
Canberra Connection
Crime Inquiry
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs is conducting an inquiry into Crime in the Community: victims, offenders and fear of crime.
I encourage people to make submissions to the inquiry as the Committee will be making a number of recommendations to Parliament concerning effective Commonwealth strategies to prevent crime and to support victims of crime.
Submissions addressing one or more of the terms of reference are invited from interested individuals and organisations.
Terms of reference are available from my office by calling 1800 818 012 or at www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/laca. Submissions should be sent to The Committee Secretary, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 by 2 August 2002.
Harmony Grants
The closing date to apply for a grant under the Federal Government's Living in Harmony initiative is fast approaching.
Applications will be accepted from incorporated, not-for-profit organisations and schools and must be lodged by Friday, 26 July 2002 with the Department of Immigration Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.
Application kits and further information may be obtained by calling 1800 78 2002 or by visiting the website at www.immi.gov.au/harmony.
Flood Protection
In honouring an election pledge I made last November I have secured $25,000 from the Federal Government for ongoing flood protection measures around Lismore.
The funding has been approved for allocation to the Richmond River County Council and will be used for the Lismore Levee Scheme.
This money is in addition to more than $1.5 million that has been allocated to flood mitigation projects in Lismore under the Federal Government's Regional Flood Mitigation Programme.
Richmond River County Council will also receive an allocation for the purchase of flood-prone houses in North and Central Lismore from the Federal Government's $950,000 contribution towards the ongoing statewide New South Wales voluntary purchase projects in 2002/2003.
National Service Medal
There has been a tremendous response to this medal. I have been pleased to make presentations over the last few months on different occasions to a number of former National Servicemen or members of their families.
Application can be made by those who were in the National Service or by relatives of deceased servicemen. Application forms are available from my office by calling 1800 818 012.
Talk to me
As Parliament is currently in recess now is a good time to contact me should you have any federal issues you may wish to discuss. I am always keen to hear your views and help in any way I can.
I regularly meet with constituents at my Lismore Electorate Office situated at 63 Molesworth Street, Lismore. Appointments can be made by calling my office on 6621 9909 or freecall 1800 818 012.
Alternately, you may wish to send an email to me at ian.causley.mp@aph.gov.au or write to P O Box 1119, Lismore 2480. I can also be contacted by telephone on the numbers listed above or by facsimile on 6621 9959.
Furthermore my electorate office staff Kim, Liz and Debbie are always happy to help with inquiries. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you fell we can be of assistance to you at any time.
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