Local Government News

Larry Anthony
National News

John Anderson remains as leader

I welcome John Anderson's decision to remain as Leader of the National Party.

John has been a great champion for the North Coast, particular his championing of the Pacific Highway upgrade.

He has been a regular visitor to the region and has a real understanding of our cultural diversity.

I know there are a lot of people in the region who also respect his strong stance on family issues.

John has also been a tireless worker in areas such as water and transport reform and his decision also reflects his belief there is work still to do in these important areas.

The decision also gives Australians a clear choice at the next election - the opportunity to stick with the proven Howard/Anderson team or a divided Opposition still trying to decide who will lead it.

Wollongbar closure a disgrace

The Department of Agriculture must reconsider its decision to close down its administration centre at Wollongbar and force 17 employees to either shift to Orange or be made redundant.

The loss of jobs, and potentially families, is devastating at the best of times but even more so when it involves a small community.

For Wollongbar this decision is devastating and no real explanation has been given. It is an absolute disgrace.

"This is just another example of Sydney Labor keeping the bad news for our region back until after the election.

What is even more disappointing is that the decision was announced only days before what should be Wollongbar's finest hour with annual Farmarama on Friday and Saturday.

This annual two-day specialist field day for the horticultural and macadamia industries attracts over 4000 people.

And while talking about Farmarama I look forward to catching up with many people on Friday afternoon.

Hands off our CountryLink

One day they are cutting jobs and the next Sydney Labor is considering cutting the region's rail passenger link with Sydney.

A proposal to replace the services with buses is the thin end of wedge and must be resisted by the local community.

Not only will this increase road traffic and road maintenance costs but if passenger rail services are abolished, it would be all too easy for Sydney Labor to then shut down country rail lines altogether.

People in our region should not have to bear the brunt of Labor's inability to properly manage the transport system.

The report's attempt to shift the cost of school travel to parents with an annual $30 fee or a cap in the level of subsidies for each student strike at the heart of the principle of giving eligible children free travel to their local school.

Students' travel costs are education costs and Sydney Labor should implement a system that weeds out phantom travellers instead of shifting the costs of its own mismanagement to parents.

Apprenticeships destroyed by Labor

Under the Coalition, the number of young people taking up a New Apprenticeship has increased from 140,000 in 1995 to 391,000 as at March 2003.

The March 2003 figure represents an increase of 15% over the same period last year.

In contrast, Labor has only shown a willingness to block young people from kick-starting their careers.

In its Budget this year Sydney Labor increased TAFE fees by up to 300%.

This will make it extremely difficult for over 170,000 people in NSW trying to get training to continue or commence their course.

And regional TAFE campuses, such as Wollongbar, will feel the full brunt of this drop off in student numbers.

Larry Anthony MP
Federal Member for Richmond
Minister for Children & Youth Affairs
PO Box 6996 Tweed Heads South 2486 ph: 07 5524 2466 fax: 07 5524 9366
www.larry.com.au Toll Free: 1800 812 125 larry.anthony.mp@aph.gov.au

Ian Causley
Canberra Connection

The precious gift of blood

Australia has a modern and safe blood donation service which relies exclusively on voluntary blood donors. Fresh blood products have a short shelf life so we always require a steady number of donors.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) advises that due to seasonal factors such as cold and flu being suffered among the blood donor population more blood donors are required.

The ARCBS has advised the national supply of the two main blood groups - O and A - are low and it would be great if you would consider making a blood donation over the next few weeks.

You can register your interest to donate blood by visiting: www.donateblood.com.au, or telephone 131 495.

Roll website a hit

The Australian Government's World War II Nominal Roll website has become a popular and significant resource for Australians searching for information on the wartime service of family members.

Visitors to the website have accessed the records of Australia's World War II servicemen and women on more than five million occasions since the launch of the Nominal Roll in November 2002.

The website is also a versatile information tool, with everyone from children using the site to learn about their own heritage, to researchers furthering studies which will contribute to our nation's body of military history research, taking advantage of the rich store of information available at a few keystrokes.

The online nominal roll allows visitors to the site to search a massive database by name, service number, honours received, place of birth, place of enlistment or town/suburb on enlistment. The Roll can be found at www.ww2roll.gov.au.

Telecommunications newsletter

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts is producing a monthly e-newsletter on information technology issues called IT Direct, which may be of benefit to Northern Rivers residents with an interest in this topic.

Subscription is free and available at www.dcita.gov.au/itdirect.

Once you subscribe, you will get an e-mail notifying you when a new edition is available.

E-security portal

Computer users battling computer viruses, spam and fraud have a new tool in their armoury after the recent launch of a one-stop e-security portal.

Developed by the Internet Industry Association, the security portal at www.security.iia.net.au will help home Internet users and small businesses to understand and respond to e-security threats and access information and advice on issues such as spam, viruses and fraud.

The portal provides an invaluable resource for Australians to learn more about e-security, so they are not deterred from internet use by security concerns, and contains detailed information on possible technical solutions and good security policies to assist internet users to enjoy a more secure and productive online experience.

The Australian Government supported the portal as part of its drive to help small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) get online and engage more in e-business, which includes forthcoming legislation to outlaw the menace of unsolicited spam e-mail.

Youth roundtable

Young people living on the Northern Rivers are invited to share the views and concerns of their generation by taking part in the National Youth Roundtable 2004.

The National Youth Roundtable is a constructive and practical opportunity for Australia's youth to get involved, express their views about what concerns them and gain invaluable leadership experience.

Application forms are available on the source, the Australian Government's website for young people, at www.thesource.gov.au/youth_roundtable. They can also be obtained by emailing roundtable@thesource.gov.au, or by calling 1800 624 309. Applications close Wednesday, October 1.