Welcome to the Greens NSW e-brief!

Dr Mehreen Faruqi is set to become the next Greens MP in the NSW upper house at the end of June, after being preselected by Greens members. Mehreen will take up this role when Cate Faehrmann MP steps down to run for the senate in the federal election in September. Mehreen will bring to NSW parliament her many years of experience working as an environmental and civil engineer in regional and metropolitan NSW, an academic and as grassroots campaigner.

Keep local government local and democratic!
David Shoebridge MLC

Instead of giving local government much needed financial autonomy, the O’Farrell government is pushing for heavy handed council amalgamations, which have been proven in other jurisdictions to decrease local democracy and fail to deliver either efficiencies or quality services. Take a stand for real democracy in your local area.

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Community groups from across NSW present Better Planning Petition
Jamie Parker MLA
 

Community groups representing thousands of residents presented Jamie with a 3,000-strong petition, highlighting concerns with the government’s proposed changes to planning laws.The petition calls for the O’Farrell government to abandon its developer driven planning regime and put local communities and the environment at the heart of the planning system.
 

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Forest furnaces and Hunter air quality
Senator Lee Rhiannon

Monday is an international day of action protesting forest furnaces: details | New Matilda article. I will also tour the Hunter with Senator Richard Di Natale to hold a public forum and attend a Greens initiated Senate inquiry on air quality. Other issues: The small bar downstairs blog. SKYTV interview.

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Country Greens tour of NSW
Jeremy Buckingham MLC

Jeremy facilitated a tour of mining affected communities in country NSW with Senator Christine Milne, visiting farmers near Moree and the dairy cooperative Norco in the Northern Rivers.  The Greens’ consistent and strong opposition to coal seam gas was warmly welcomed by farmers and the community. Photos | Video.

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Voluntary Euthanasia debate in May
Cate Faehrmann MLC

The ongoing campaign to grant people the right to die with dignity will be culminating this May when Parliament debates my Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill. I’m calling on people to share their stories with my fellow MPs, so they can hear firsthand how important passing this Bill is.

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O’Farrell’s 14 month delay on wind power guidelines costing NSW investment, jobs
John Kaye MLC

By sitting on the final wind planning guidelines the O’Farrell government is pushing billions of dollars of investment out of NSW. John called for an end to hostility to wind and sensible guidelines to create 4,000 new jobs and slash 17 million tonnes from the state’s annual carbon emissions.

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Greens motions receive support
Jan Barham MLC

Parliamentary support for 5 important social issues: Homelessness recognition and funding, Constitutional recognition for ATSI, Close the Gap priorities and Aboriginal Seniors Card eligibility at 45, enhanced support and information for Carers, and community radio station support. Please follow up and spread the word: Recognise; Commit to Community Radio.

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