Wires and poles empire will add to power bill pain
Merging NSW's three state-owned wires and poles companies will not address the causes of power bill increases and will lead to massive job losses and more blackouts, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. ('O'Farrell
Government to merge state's electricity distributors', Sunday Telegraph, 18 March 2012, http://j.mp/wpkYsY)
NSW Ministers extraordinary political intervention in work safety prosecutions
An internal document shows that NSW Minister for Resources and Energy Chris Hartcher personally intervened to suspend 22 Work Safety criminal prosecutions. He was joined in this by the Attorney General and Minister for Finance. The intervention has been described as baseless and inappropriate by Greens Justice spokesperson David Shoebridge who is calling for the immediate resumption of prosecutions.
Govt fails to legislate Aboriginal representation on young offenders review panel
The NSW Upper House passed legislation late last night which will formalise the existence of the Serious Young Offenders Review Panel. The government, however, rejected a Greens amendment which would have legislated Aboriginal representation on the Review Panel.
Springvale long wall coal mine extension an environmental error
Environment Minister Tony Burke’s approval of the extension to the Springvale longwall mine, with its clear threats to the Gardens of Stone’s sandstone formations and ecosystem, on the day the CSIRO’s State of the Environment Report forecasts worsening global warming suggests a government blind to evidence of environmental damage caused by coal mining, says Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon.
Call for JRPP to reject Evans Head development
On March 15 the Northern Region Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) will consider a development application for the construction of a $78 million retirement village on toxic land adjacent to Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome. The development process has also suffered from planning irregularities and will lead to excessive noise for future residents.
Light rail purchase – next steps ticket integration and Greenway
The government buying the light rail network is a victory for the local community and an opportunity for integrated public transport ticketing, according to Greens member for Balmain Jamie Parker.
“The Greens and the local community have campaigned long and hard to bring the light rail network in public hands – this decision by the government is a victory for the local community,” Mr Parker said.
Demolition by neglect: housing disgrace as $300m maintenance backlog revealed
Evidence has emerged that a $300 million backlog in maintenance work has left NSW public housing residents living in appalling conditions while precious public assets deteriorate under neglect.
Greens MP Jamie Parker has compiled a dossier of public housing residents who have waited months and often years for repairs to their homes, with issues including rat infestations, flooding, mould and holes in ceilings.
“This huge maintenance backlog means miserable conditions for some of the most vulnerable in our community, while assets owned by the people of NSW are facing demolition by neglect,” Greens MP Jamie Parker said.
"It is a disgrace that some of the most vulnerable people in our community are living in appalling conditions with little support from Housing NSW.
GreenWay parliamentary debate set for 31 May 2012
Greens MP Jamie Parker was recently presented with a 10,000 signature petition supporting the GreenWay, from representatives of local councils and the Friends of the GreenWay community group.
The petition will be debated by Parliament on 31 May 2012.
Coal Seam Gas Moratorium Debate this Thursday
This Thursday, March 15 the Greens' Coal Seam Gas Moratorium Bill will be voted on in the NSW Parliament.
The bill if passed through the parliament will put in place a 12 month moratorium on all coal seam gas exploration and the issuing of new coal seam gas production licence across NSW.
Power sell-off boosts Coalition's election war chest at taxpayers' expense
The O'Farrell government wants the parliament to hand Treasurer Mike Baird the power to sell off the state's generators while dumping responsibility for future financial losses onto the public purse, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye ('Taxpayers face huge bill after power sale', Sydney Morning Herald, 9 March, page 2, http://j.mp/yj9KLJ ).
