Lee Rhiannon speaks on campaign donations
"Perspectives", Radio National, 5.55 pm Wednesday 15 May 2002
go to http://abc.net.au/rn/freq/map.htm to find the Radio National frequency for your local area

With less than one year to go to the state election you would think the
major parties would be a little cautious about being seen to dip into the public purse. Caution however was thrown out the window with the announcement of a new allowance to each member of the Legislative Assembly of up to $70,000 per annum.

This new allowance, at a total cost of $5.5 million a year, will allow MPs to
advertise their achievements by printing glossy newsletters and mailing them to voters.

The Carr government worked hard to sneak this one through. At about 5 pm last Friday evening, when journalists were frantic with their deadlines and the week was over, the government quietly issued a media release. Interestingly none of the Sydney media received it so when the Greens office was tipped off to this latest pollies' perk we went into overdrive and got the story out. It was extensively covered in Saturday's media.

This allowance will particularly benefit Labor which holds the majority of marginal seats. The allowance will cover two or three direct mailings between now and the election, which could well be crucial to keeping the incumbents in power.

Anti-woodchipping activists undertaking a 2,000 kilometre cycle from
Brisbane to Victoria have arrived in Sydney to call for the preservation of
old growth forests in Australia.

The aim of the 'Cycle for Old Growth Forests' (COGF) is to raise awareness of
the importance of old growth forests in Australia, and in particular, East
Gippsland in Victoria's far east.

The arrival of COGF into Sydney heralds the half way point for the ride to
East Gippsland which is an area that supports the largest stands of
Australia's remaining 5% of old growth forests.

COGF spokesperson Mr Sean Marler is concerned that the logging of old growth
forests will have a detrimental effect on endangered native wildlife. He
also stresses that the logging, which is used primarily for export woodchips
to Japan, is causing massive environmental damage to water catchments near
Errinundra National Park.

Donations welcome.

More information: Sean Marler (COGF) 0417 825 972

Whilst the Coalition showed an ugly side of Australian life when they used
persecution of asylum seekers to win a third term in office, people are rallying
in so many ways to bring compassion back into our dealings with people who seek
refuge here.

The CFMEU (Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union) has been
overwhelmed by the response to their appeal for books for children in detention centres. CFMEU organiser Duncan McLaren, who is looking after this campaign, has been inundated with about 10,000 books, from Little Golden Books and Dr Seuss, to high school maths and science texts.

Offices in Newcastle, Wollongong, Central Sydney and Lidcombe are proving
effective collection points. While it has been easy to get the books to
Villawood, the cost of transport to Port Hedland, Woomera and Curtin is shaping
as a headache. Any ideas or help on how to transport these books to the other
centres is welcome.

Duncan McLaren can be reached on 9749 0400.

Remember that you can sign up to have all Greens Media Releases emailed straight
to your inbox at www.greens.org.au

Media Releases put out since April 24. For the full text of a Media Release email dan.cass@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has condemned today's announcement by the Parliamentary
Remuneration Tribunal of a massive new allowance for Lower House MPs. Under the
ruling, Lower House MPs will receive a new allowance of between $55,000 and
$70,000 each financial year to pay for printing and delivery of newsletters to
voters. As a result, sitting members will be able to spend between $80,000 and
$100,000 each between now and the next election.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today released a letter from Energy Minister Kim Yeadon
in which he promises that the necessary safeguards are in place to protect sites
of cultural and heritage significance at Sandon Point. The Minister's letter was
sent to Labor MP David Campbell.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that NSW deserves the title the Prison State
following the passage of the Government's Bail Bill through the Upper House.
Ms Rhiannon said, "Premier Carr is prepared to blow the budget in NSW and lock
up innocent people in his greed for a third term.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that the State Government should reverse its
decision to censor a Tibetan exhibition in the NSW Parliament in order to
placate the wishes of the Chinese Government. Ms Rhiannon said, "The Greens
demand that the Government reverse its shameful decision to censor the Tibetan's
exhibition.

Internationally recognised Greens leader Christine Milne will deliver tonight's
second annual Juanita Nielsen lecture. Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said, "Christine
went from successfully campaigning against the Wesley Vale pulp mill in Tasmania
in the late 1980s to be leader of the five State Greens MPs and has received a
UN medal for her environmentalism.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today called for the Carr Labor Government to test for
dangerous chemical levels on farms in NSW exposed to toxic fertiliser materials.
Ms Rhiannon said, "Premier Bob Carr needs to give leadership in the unfolding
toxic fertiliser crisis. All farmlands exposed to toxic materials need to be
identified and immediately tested for toxic residue.

Greens MPs Lee Rhiannon and Ian Cohen said today that new research by the
University of New South Wales shows the Greenhouse benchmarks scheme announced
today may be defective.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that former Education Minister John Aquilina
had misrepresented the facts in the same way as the Federal Government had in
the truth overboard scandal.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that this morning's charcoal plant protest by
600 people in the small country town of Mogo showed that the local community is
overwhelmingly opposed to yesterday's approval by Deputy Premier Andrew
Refshauge.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that the Government's decision to approve the
Mogo charcoal plant was unsound because the environmental assessment did not
include the relevant logging operations.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today welcomed attempts by the NSW Labor party to
have women contest up to one third of winnable seats but said that both major
parties were shackled by a conservative political culture that favoured men.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that the Police Minister was misleading the
public by giving the impression that handguns were illegal and only become a
problem when smuggled into Australia.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that the spotlight over gay age of consent
should be turned back on the Labor Party, which has a responsibility to take a
binding vote, not a conscience vote on the issue.

For details of sitting dates for 2002 & Hansard go to
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au.

The NSW Legislative Council rose on May 9. The Council sits again on Tuesday June 4.

09/05/2002 AGL Corporate Conversion Bill (Second Reading)
09/05/2002 Bail Amendment (Repeat Offenders) Bill
09/05/2002 Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (Adjournment)
08/05/2002 Minister For Police (Motion Of No Confidence)
08/05/2002 South Coast Charcoal Plant
08/05/2002 Student Violence Ministerial Statement (Adjournment)
07/05/2002 Sessional Orders (Private Members Business)
07/05/2002 Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Bill (Second Reading, In
Committee)
07/05/2002 Coal Industry Amendment (Validation) Bill
07/05/2002 Governor's Speech: Address-In-Reply (Fourth Day's Debate)

08/05/2002 Contaminated Industrial Waste Fertiliser Use (Questions Without
Notice)
09/05/2002 Sandon Point Residential Development (Questions Without Notice)

Lee Rhiannon is a member of the Inquiry into Aspects of the Department of
Corrective Services. The terms of reference can be viewed at
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/phweb.nsf/frames/1?open&tab=committees

Please note - information about events is repeated as received, and the Greens are not responsible for the organisation or conduct of non-Greens events.

Australia's old growth forests are still falling. Precious and ancient
ecosystems like Goolengook in Victoaria are being destroyed by logging
and woodchipped for as little as 9c at tonne! And in this state, our
very own Bob Carr has just approved a new charcoal plant at Mogo...
Called in solidarity with the massive rally for forests in Melbourne on
May 18th, this action will take the form of a theatrical *spectacle*- a
mock auction of Australia's public forests, full of colour, music, fun
and voices crying out for the protection of our precious forests. For
more info, call Inge: 0405 354 964

On the occasion of al-nakba, 54 years of Palestinian Dispossession
6-9pm Friday May 17
Tom Mann Theatre, 136 Chalmers St, Surry Hills.
http://www.phrconline.org/

GeneEthics Sydney and
The Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts

Invite you to a forum on
SUSTAINABILITY IN FOOD PRODUCTION
Saturday, 25 May 2002
10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Mitchell Theatre
Level 1, 280 Pitt St, Sydney

Speakers include:
Prof Stuart Hill, Head of the Social Ecology Research Group, UWS
"Making Sustainability Happen"
Dr. David Murray, author of many books on organic farming
"Sustainability and Organic Farming with emphasis on Defining Organic,
Appropriate use of Fertilisers and Avoiding pesticides"
Cameron Little, Ecoliving Co-ordinator, UNSW Ecoliving Centre
"Permaculture - bringing sustainable food production back to the cities"

For further information please phone the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts on
9262 7300. The Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts is the oldest provider of adult
education in NSW and operates Australia's oldest lending library.

This important 1 day forum will allow you to find out what is going on with urban estuaries, what the experts think and what the political parties are promising to do. You will also get the opportunity to ask questions, quiz experts and network with other people dealing with the same issues.

Professor Bruce Thom from the Coastal Council of NSW will chair the forum. Speakers will include scientists specialising in estuary life, and experts on foreshore and economic issues effecting use of estuaries. A panel of estuary managers will provide input about estuary management options and experiences, followed by statements from representatives of the political parties: Mr Andrew Humpherson MP (Shadow Minister for the Environment, Liberal Party), Dr Chesterfield-Evans (Democrats), and John Kaye (Greens). The NSW government has yet to nominate its spokesperson.

View and download the full program from the website: www.ssec.org.au.

Seating is limited and the cost is only $22 to enable participation by everyone with an interest.

The Greens are putting on a display at the Australian Museum during June in the community group's biodiversity space. If all goes according to plan, it will be jam-packed with lots of interesting and colourful information about past and ongoing community campaigns.

A special viewing and film screening opening event has been organised to launch the display:
Tuesday June 4, 5.20 for 5.30 pm, assemble in foyer of the Australian Museum, College St, Sydney, for a viewing of the display.
Then, 6.20 for 6.30 pm, Jubilee Room, just inside Parliament House entrance, Macquarie St, Sydney, for film screening and speakers.

All welcome, please feel free to bring friends and family.
For more information as it comes to hand, please visit the Australian Greens web site www.greens.org.au and follow the links.

Rally at Circular Quay on June 23 at 11 am.
People are asked to arrive by boat if possible.
Call 0417 275 713 or 0408 057 779 for more information. Speakers will include
Jaslyn Hall MC and Thomas Kenneally among others.

Against War and Violence
SILENT VIGIL First Thursday every month
5.30pm to 6.30pm
SYDNEY TOWN HALL
We invite all women to stand in vigil on the steps of Sydney Town Hall wearing the black clothing of bereavement, to mourn the dead and express our opposition to all forms of violence. Women in Black is an international network of women who share a common philosophy of opposition to militarism and violence.
www.womeninblackoz.com

Interested in global trade and other issues - email Deb Foskey debf@cyberone.com.au for regular updates.

Want to share your favourite website? - send in your hot tips.

THIS EBRIEF'S TOP WEBSITE
http://www.nefa.org.au/jilliby

GREENS
http://www.greens.org.au
110,000 visits per month & growing - visit Australia's premier progressive political site
http://www.greens.org.au/bobbrown
http://www.nsw.greens.org.au
http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/lee
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au

Students and Sustainability Conference 2002
http://www.asen.org.au/ss2002/

Track preparations for the Rio + 10 earth summit with the help of FoE International
http://www.rio-plus-10.org/

Coalition for Justice for Refugees
Website: http://www.angelfire.com/film/ausnews

Whistleblowers Organisation
http://www.whistleblowers.org.au/

Australian Conservation Foundation
http://www.acfonline.org.au

No second nuclear reactor
http://www.cat.org.au/spannr/

Bio-diesel
http://www.biodiesel.org.au

Friends of the ABC
http://www.FABC.org.au

Australian Republic
http://www.republicnow.org

Campaign to stop a charcoal plant in southeastern NSW:
http://www.acr.net.au/~coastwatchers/charcoalition

Earthshare Australia - new Social Change Training Program.
http://www.earthshare.org.au/training/

Report smoking vehicles in NSW
http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/esdsmoky/

Sign a petition for animal rights
http://gopetition.com site.

Check out who your boss hangs out with
http://www.bosswatch.labor.net.au/

EMR Association of Australia Inc - a consumer advocacy group on the issue of electromagnetic radiation
http://ssec.org.au/emraa

www.myallcreekmemorial.com.au
This is about the Myall Creek Massacre and the beautiful memorial now at Myall Creek overlooking the site. A major symbol of Truth History and Reconciliation for Australia.

The latest Library Research Service Briefing Paper No. 7/2002 entitled "Public Liability" by Roza Lozusic is now available on the Parliament's Intranet site at:
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/PHWebContent.nsf/PHPages/ResearchBf072002

The latest Library Research Service Briefing Paper No. 6/2002 entitled
Information Privacy and Health Records by Gareth Griffith is now available on the Parliament's Intranet site at:
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/PHWebContent.nsf/PHPages/ResearchBf062002

The report on "Reducing Juvenile Crime: Conferencing versus Court" has been released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/bocsar1.nsf/pages/pub_byyear

A report on how NSW Agriculture manages emergency animal disease activities has been released. http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/perfaud-rep/AgricultureEmergency-May2002/Agriculture-Contents.html The report focuses on how prepared NSW is to identify and respond to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

The Nature Conservation Council of NSW is currently advertising for a Soils Campaigner (closes 24 May) & Sandmining Campaigner (closes 31 May).

An exciting opportunity exists at the Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC) for an energetic and self-motivated individual to contribute to improving the management, protection and restoration of the land (and waters) of NSW.

An energetic and committed Sand Mining Campaigner is sought by Combined
Environment Groups. The position is part-time (3 days), with activities
focused on protection of the Murray Basin from Sand Mining
impacts on biodiversity and groundwater.

For more information:
The Executive Officer
Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Level 5, 362 Kent Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

NCC Native Vegetation Project website
www.nccnsw.org.au/veg

You can also download a copy of the NCC's Ecologically Sustainable
Agriculture Policy by going to www.nccnsw.org.au/ncc/reference/index.html

For inquiries or further information call (02) 9279 2466.