Local Government News
 Don
Page
State Matters
Countrylink Services
The recently released Interim Report for the review of Transport Services in New South Wales recommends abolishing most CountryLink rail services and replacing them with buses.
I am strongly opposed to this proposal. Replacing the rail service with bus services would most likely reduce patronage on Countrylink services and would be counterproductive to cost recovery measures. Rather than closing services, the State Government should indicate what they propose to do to increase patronage on the rail system.
Furthermore, if the government is serious about viable Countrylink services, such as the Casino-Murwillumbah line, it should extend the branch-line into South East Queensland. This would increase patronage, open up tourism and commuter opportunities, and help guarantee the long term viability of the line. It would also be environmentally friendly to retain rail services.
It is unfair to target regional transport services for cost recovery when, the Countrylink service has 32 per cent cost recovery whereas the cost recovery for CityRail is only 28 per cent. The current subsidy for Countrylink is $148 million whereas for Cityrail it is $1,435 million.
It seems the Carr Government is contemplating reducing Countrylink services to a greater extent than city services when there is no logical basis on equity grounds. Losing our passenger train services would be a serious blow to residents, seniors and tourists alike.
Bushfire Season: Local Bans in Place
The bushfire season has started early this year and local shires are already in total fire ban status.
Once a total fire ban is declared, there can be no fires lit in the open, but gas and electric barbecues are allowed as long as the barbecue is;
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Under the supervision of an adult
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On a residential property
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Within 20m of the house
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The property has continuous running water.
Information resources available during the fire season include;
Hospital Waiting List Report
Waiting times for elective surgery on the Northern Rivers fall well below targeted levels, according to the latest Auditor-General's report into hospital waiting times for elective surgery.
On the Northern Rivers, the target for patients waiting over one month for elective surgery is 30. There are currently 166 patients waiting longer than this period. For 'long wait patients' those waiting over twelve months, the target was 350. According to the Auditor-General there are 417 patients on this list.
Across NSW there are more than 6000 elective surgery patients who have waited more than twelve months, almost twice the 3600 target.
The situation in NSW's hospitals is of serious concern and an injection of resources is much needed. The Treasurer has collected $860 million more than anticipated in stamp duty revenue alone, yet hospital waiting lists continue to grow.
Unfortunately hospital staff bear the burden of the lack of proper funding for hospitals. They are deserving of both the support of the community, as well as a commitment of resources from the State Government for the work they do.
It will take a considerable improvement in funding to the health system by the State Government to ensure these figures improve.
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
Minister visit
The Hon Grant McBride, Minister for Gaming & Racing, visited the Lismore electorate last week to attend the Lismore Cup.
Mr McBride announced that the Lismore Turf Club has been granted a Governor's licence, which will now allow the Club's facilities to be used as an event venue for Lismore. Mr McBride also took time to meet with representatives from Lifeline, the AHA and Clubs NSW.
Masters Games
Congratulations to the Lismore Rainbow Region Masters Games III Committee on yet another successful event. Under the guidance of Therese Crollick, the organising committee, John Bancroft and Leanne Clark, the staff and volunteers should be extremely proud of the effort and achievements of the Games.
JP Regulation
The Attorney General is seeking comments on the Justices of the Peace Regulation 2003. The Regulation is necessary for the effective implementation of the Justices of the Peace Act 2002. Copies of the Regulation and Regulatory Impact State are available from my office. Submissions may be made direct to Mr Laurie Glanfield, Director General, Attorney General's Department, GPO Box 6, Sydney, 2001 or by email to christina_valentine@agd.nsw.gov.au.
Fishing in jeopardy
The Coalition fears the future of recreational fishing in NSW could be in jeopardy following a proposed recommendation from the NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee to list hook and line fishing in areas important for the survival of threatened species as a key threatening process. This proposal could have a large impact on all recreational and commercial anglers throughout the state, as it does not specify which threatened fish species nor which areas it might affect. The Sydney Labor Government advised that recreational fishers and the general public had only 5 weeks to lodge submissions on such a broad proposal.
Submissions closed on Friday, September 12. The decision will now be made on which areas are to have hook and line fishing restricted. While I fully support the preservation of threatened species, I also support the right of thousands of recreational and commercial anglers to wet a line. The Fisheries Scientific Committee's proposed recommendation can be viewed at www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/fsc/proposed-hook-line.
Labor defeats youth crime reforms
I was very disappointed that the Private Members' Bill, introduced by National Party Leader Andrew Stoner, aimed at reducing juvenile crime was voted down by the NSW Labor Government in Parliament recently.
The current Young Offenders Act is one of the reasons for escalating youth lawlessness, as it allows young offenders to get away with repeated warnings and cautions before they are dealt with more seriously. Mr Stoner's Bill would have allowed one warning and one caution only before young offenders were dealt with by conferencing or the Courts. It also would have ensured parents were involved at an early stage.
I was disappointed to see Labor and some Independents, voted against the Bill. They have shown themselves to be totally out of touch with the concerns of their communities regarding juvenile crime.
Electorate Functions
Jarjum Preschool – I enjoyed a recent visit to the Preschool to see the children and the facilities.
Red Cross Celebrity Prison
Congratulations to Scott Krueger and the Red Cross on organising this wonderful promotion, of which I was proud to be part of. Thanks must go to the general public for helping to raise $16,000 towards such as worthy cause.
School Visits
Recently I have attended a number of local schools. I was present at the Casino High School and Trinity College Year 12 Graduations, as well as addressing students at Kyogle Public School & St Carthages on the role of Government and have presented a new flag to Kadina High School.
Junior Disability Sports Camp
I had the opportunity to visit the Camp at Lake Ainsworth which was organised by the NSW Wheelchair Sports Association and the NSW Sports Council for the Disabled. The camp aimed to identify talented athletes, with a range of disabilities, in a variety of sports.
National Police Remembrance Day
I was honoured to attend the service in Lismore this week to reflect on the bravery, selflessness and courage of officers killed in the line of duty and to remember former members of the NSW Police who have passed away in the previous 12 months.
Slim Dusty
Like all Australians I was saddened by the news of the passing of a true Australian country music legend. Slim Dusty has provided this nation with wholesome entertainment for more than 50 years and he will be deeply missed.
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; thomas.george@parliament.nsw.gov.au or www.thomasgeorge.com.au
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