IR job cuts: O'Farrell fails regional and rural NSW

The government is moving to close IR Offices in Penrith, Coffs Harbour, Gosford, Wagga Wagga and Orange, and will cut jobs in IR Offices in Newcastle and Wollongong. In all, 48 people will lose their jobs, and all these communities will lose services.
 
Greens NSW MP and Industrial Relations spokesperson David Shoebridge said: "Not only will almost 50 people lose their jobs, these communities will lose important services.  
 
"These job cuts mean people in these areas will lose access in their communities to direct advice regarding their rights at work.

  • Read more
  • Share this

Greens offer Orica bill to Government - "It's introduced and ready to support"

The Greens' bill to strengthen pollution laws, which will require immediate notification of serious incidents causing material harm to the environment, is ready to go and should be supported by the Environment Minister, says Greens MP and environment spokesperson Cate Faehrmann.

Urgent review of Police gun and Taser use required

An inquest has been told that the police officer who shot and killed a mentally ill man used the warning designated for Taser use. Government figures show that police use of force is increasing. Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge is calling for an inquiry into police use of guns and Tasers.
 
"It is becoming clear that a review of Police procedures for the use of guns and Tasers is required," Mr Shoebridge said.
 
"It seems inexplicable for a police officer to give the warning for Taser use before drawing their firearm and shooting a mentally ill man.
 
"A review is clearly required to ensure that Police are using these weapons correctly and are not unnecessarily harming or even killing members of the public.

Police use of force increasing

Police statistics secured by The Greens reveal that since the introduction of Tasers in 2008, there has been no reduction in firearm use, showing that stun guns have not delivered on their promise of being a genuine alternative to guns, according to Greens NSW Police spokesperson David Shoebridge.

SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/stun-guns-have-not-reduced-police-use-of-firea...

"When police began using stun guns in 2008 they were promoted as being a preferable alternative than the use of firearms.  Instead, stun guns have now just become an additional weapon in the police arsenal," Mr Shoebridge said.

"There are occasions where police use of a weapon is necessary. However these figures show that overall police use of weapons has more than doubled since stun guns were introduced.