The Greens Parliamentary E-Brief - No. 77
19 December 2002
From the offices
of Greens Senator Kerry Nettle and Greens MLCs Lee
Rhiannon & Ian Cohen
Thanks
to everyone who has assisted the Greens Parliamentary Office in the NSW
Parliament
and the Greens Senate Office in NSW over the past year.
We
greatly appreciate your thoughts, messages, emails and cards.
The
Green wave has only taken off because of the talent, commitment and strength
of our support base.
THANKYOU!
We
have set our goals high for 2003 and we look forward to again
working with you on a range of campaigns and causes.
Both offices will be closed from 5pm Friday 20th
December to 9am Monday 6th January.
IN THIS E-BRIEF
1. Updates
2. Greens media
3. Greens in Parliament
4. What's on?
5. Reports
6. Websites plus
7. Jobs
Vacant
8. Contact
Details for Greens MP's
If you do not wish
to continue receiving e-briefs, please reply with "E-BRIEF UNSUBSCRIBE"
as the subject.
1.
UPDATES
M5
East stack clean up campaign
As a result of the work of the Residents Against Polluting Stacks (RAPS),
NSW Health has agreed to carry out a study into health problems experienced
by local residents since the opening of the M5 East tunnel. Senior representatives
of the Health Department have met with local residents to outline their
planned study. This breakthrough comes after the conclusion of the third
NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the M5 East stack. Once again government
and RTA witnesses were embarrassed. Lee Rhiannon and Ian Cohen are working
closely with the residents to have planned motorway tunnels ventilated.
The ground breaking work of RAPS is certainly appreciated and is showing
the way for many community groups.
No War Action Kit
updated
Senator
Nettle's office has produced an update to the No War Action Kit. This
update contains rally and action reports from around Australia and the
world, a summary of UN Security Council Resolution 1441, contact details
for no war groups in every state and information on the possible consequences
of a war on Iraq and weapons of mass destruction.
If you would like to receive a copy of this update, or if you would like
to receive the original Action Kit on the War on Iraq, please email senator.nettle@aph.gov.au.
Civil Liberties
win reprieve
The Greens have welcomed the Senate's rejection of the Government's
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Terrorism) Bill 2002 as
a victory for the civil rights of Australians.
For analysis of this development, including a full reproduction of Bob
Brown's Senate speech, visit Margo Kingston's webdiary at http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/12/18/1040174291517.html
2.
GREENS MEDIA
Remember that you
can sign up to have all Greens Media Releases emailed straight to your
inbox at http://www.greens.org.au
Media Releases put
out since December 3 below. For the full text of a Media Release email
dan.cass@parliament.nsw.gov.au
or visit http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/lee/media
19 November 2002
Carr should lead on Annangrove Mosque
Greens MPs Ian Cohen and Lee Rhiannon said today that Premier Bob Carr
should throw his support behind the Annangrove Mosque application and
defend multiculturalism. Ms Rhiannon said, "Labor needs to come out
of the shadows and vigorously defend multiculturalism. Bob Carr should
go to the people of Annangrove and use his formidable powers of persuasion
to argue the case for a community of inclusion and tolerance.
17 December 2002
Greens win conflict-of-interest inquiry
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that the Labor Government has been
forced into accepting an inquiry into how the Parliament can tighten its
rules on family-related conflicts of interest for Ministers and other
MPs. Ms Rhiannon said, "Michael Egan has no credibility among voters
because he did nothing to clean up the rules in all his time as Treasurer
of NSW and is fudging the whole John Brogden consultancy issue.
16 December 2002
Budget squeeze set to choke higher education
Senator Kerry Nettle has today condemned the reported ministerial
decision to rule out any increase in government spending which pre-empts
Education Minister Dr Brendan Nelson's recommendations to Cabinet on the
future of higher education. "It looks like the Treasurer will be
the real author of the Crossroads recommendations, putting the squeeze
on students and increasing reliance on private finance to pay for this
essential public service," Senator Nettle said.
13 December 2002
ALP Opposition Heroes?
The defence of civil liberties with the failure of the Federal Government's
Anti-Terrorism Bill in the Senate is to be commended and is wholeheartedly
supported by the Greens. "I support Darryl Melham on his stand in
condemning the federal government's erosion of civil liberties. Melham
likened the law to an erosion of civil society similar to the military
takeover in Chile by Pinochet. This mirrors The Greens' position."
Ian Cohen MLC said.
13 December
Cunningham MP Questions Gov Commitment to Terminal
Member for Cunningham Michael Organ today questioned the reality of
an international container terminal at Port Kembla. "The State Government
has committed to the expanding of Port Botany, State Premier Bob Carr
and Treasurer Michael Egan are on record supporting a new container terminal
on the old BHP site in Newcastle - Hunter Region."
13 December 2002
Labor sells out sole parents, refugees and older unemployed people
Labor joined forces with the Government overnight to extend the harsh
breaching regime to sole parents, refugees and older unemployed people.
Senator Kerry Nettle said Labor's support for the measures amounted to
a sell-out of vulnerable groups that needed support, not punishment
13 December 2002
Civil Liberties win reprieve
Senator Kerry Nettle has welcomed the Senate's rejection of the Government's
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Terrorism) Bill 2002 as
a victory for the civil rights of Australians. "This morning we came
dangerously close to taking that sinister step down the road to establishing
an Australian secret police. Ultimately, the ALP and Government's bickering,
over detention regime details, has resulted in a reprieve for civil rights.
12 December 2002
CARR SHOULD PROTECT RELICS - ORGAN
Greens MHR for Cunningham, Michael Organ, says that yesterday s NSW
Supreme Court ruling that Sandon Point Aboriginal relics are Crown property
effectively gives Premier Bob Carr custody. "It is his decision -
to destroy the Sandon Point site relics or, in favour of the Aboriginal
people whose relics these really are, to protect the site."
12 December 2002
Labor ducks private school funding debate
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today called on the NSW Education and Training
Minister John Watkins to release the full Grimshaw Inquiry findings, so
the government can address the issue of private school funding. Ms Rhiannon
said "In October 2000, John Watkin's predecessor, John Aquilina,
announced the Grimshaw inquiry into NSW's private schools. The intent
was to take pressure off Labor in the Federal election after the Howard
government's massive increases in private school funding had precipitated
a public outrage for which Labor simply had no answers.
12 December 2002
Greens oppose ALP and Government's 'secret police' bill
The ALP today joined with the Government to confer 'secret police'
like powers on the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation sacrificing
fundamental civil liberties in the process. "The Greens will oppose
this bill because, even after the amendments, it still allows for innocent
people to be taken off the street without warning, interrogated in secret,
and jailed if they refuse to answer questions." Senator Kerry Nettle
said
11 December 2002
Greens call for legislative framework for paid 'parental' leave.
Senator Kerry Nettle has welcomed HREOC Sex Discrimination Commissioner's
minimalist proposal for government funded paid maternity leave, but called
for a legislative framework that allows for future expansion. "The
Commissioner's model represents a minimalist approach that The Greens
would support as a first step towards the more comprehensive model that
families need.
11 December 2002
Greens oppose detention of innocents
Senator Kerry Nettle has today rejected an amended Australian Security
Intelligence Organisation Amendment (Terrorism) Bill 2002 that still allows
for an abrogation of fundamental civil and political rights. "The
ALP's amendments do not change the essential nature of this bill, which
threatens the rights of law abiding Australians" Senator Nettle said.
10 December 2002
Senate calls on Government to act over Hicks and Habib
The Senate today supported The Greens' call for Government action
to bring David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib back to Australia to face trial
or be released. "Mr Hicks has been incarcerated for more than a year
and Mr Habib for over six months. Both men are held without charge, without
legal representation, without visitation rights, no consular access, and
without the support of their government," Senator Nettle said.
9 December 2002
International Human Rights Day a day of shame for Howard Government
Senator Kerry Nettle will move tomorrow, on International Human Rights
Day, that the Senate condemn the Government's shameful record in the past
year. "The Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Attorney General
are all culpable in the roll back of human rights standards in this country,"
Senator Nettle said.
9 December 2002
Yeadon Kicks Green Goal on Greenhouse
The Greens consider the Electricity Supply (Greenhouse Gas Emission
Reduction) Bill to be an historic step forward. It indicates Minister
Yeadon's recognition of the serious implications of Greenhouse gas emissions.
"Despite the ongoing differences with Minister Yeadon over many years
regarding forestry issues in which the Government has taken many actions
detrimental to reasonable Greenhouse objectives, I am moved to give Minister
Yeadon wholehearted congratulations for his bold action with the introduction
of this legislation," Ian Cohen MLC said.
8 December 2002
ALP and Government continue to disregard community concern over Bankstown
Airport privatisation and expansion
Greens Senator Kerry Nettle's motion opposing the privatisation and expansion
of Bankstown Airport was defeated in the Senate last week when the ALP
and Coalition voted together to defeat the motion. "This confirms
what many in the Bankstown area have known for some time, that neither
the Government nor their ALP representatives have been listening to their
concerns," Senator Kerry Nettle said.
5 December 2002
Terror bill unconstitutional, say Greens
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that the Terrorism (Police Powers)
Bill being debated in Parliament today restricts court review of the Police
Minister to such a degree that it is unconstitutional. Ms Rhiannon said,
"If the Labor Government had allowed proper inquiries into the bill
then they might have avoided the uncertainty caused by passing an unconstitutional
law.
December 4 2002
Whole suburbs could be victims of 'State terror' under new law
Whole suburbs of innocent citizens could experience the terror of
having their door broken down by unidentified assailants, under the Carr
Government's Terrorism (Police Powers) Bill currently being debated in
the NSW Parliament, claimed Greens MLC Ian Cohen. "Police won't need
a search warrant or even a reasonable suspicion that a householder is
in some way connected with terrorism to undertake such a raid. They are
not even required to identify themselves or provide evidence that they
are police.
3 December 2002
Victorian election result confirms Cunningham swing to Greens
The results of the Victorian state election held last weekend confirm
the swing to the Greens as witnessed in the recent Cunningham by-election.
Michael Organ, Member for Cunningham, stated today, "In Victoria
last weekend there was an 8% swing to the Greens. The Greens polled a
healthy 10% across the state - up from 2% at the last election. A primary
vote of 25% was achieved in some seats."
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3.
GREENS IN PARLIAMENT
For details of sitting
dates for 2002, speeches and questions are available at the parliamentary
websites (details below). Please note Greens MPs ask many Questions on
Notice - these are too numerous to list here. These can also be found
at the parliamentary websites.
Federal Parliament
http://www.aph.gov.au/
For a complete list of Senators
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/senators/los.pdf
For a complete list of members of the House of Representatives
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/memlist120802.pdf
Kerry's
Parliamentary Speeches
NSW Parliament
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au
For a complete list of Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly members
http://bulletin/prod/web/phweb.nsf/frames/members
Below are details
of questions without notice and speeches made by Lee Rhiannon and Ian
Cohen since 21 November.
Ian Cohen
Speeches and Questions
10/12/2002 Tree Hollows (Adjournment)
05/12/2002 Defamation Amendment Bill (Second Reading, In Committee)
05/12/2002 Coal Mine Health And Safety Bill Coal Industry Amendment (Fees
For Rescue Services) Bill (Second Reading, In Committee)
05/12/2002 Building Legislation Amendment (Quality Of Construction) Bill
(In Committee, Adoption Of Report, In Committee (Recommittal)
05/12/2002 National Park Estate (Reservations) Bill (Second Reading, In
Committee, Third Reading)
05/12/2002 Electricity Supply (Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction) Amendment
Bill (Second Reading, In Committee)
Lee Rhiannon
Speeches and Questions
10/12/2002 Camden Aluminium Extraction Plant (Adjournment)
05/12/2002 Terrorism (Police Powers) Legislation (Questions Without Notice)
05/12/2002 Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Amendment Bill (Second
Reading)
05/12/2002 Building And Construction Industry Security Of Payment Amendment
Bill (Second Reading, In Committee)
05/12/2002 Disorderly Houses Amendment (Commercial Supply Of Prohibited
Drugs)
m
Greens MPs regularly present petitions for different groups. Make sure
your petition is worded correctly so it will be accepted by Parliament.
Details are available on the parliament websites.
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4.
WHAT'S ON
Please note - information
about events is reproduced here as received, and the Greens are not responsible
for the organisation or conduct of non-Greens events.
Blue Mountains
Community Walk for Peace
Saturday, 21st December, 2002, 11.30am - 3pm
Assemble 11.30am Katoomba Station, Main Street, corner Katoomba Street.
The Walk for Peace
begins at 12 high noon, led by the Dragon of Peace (with 20 brave men/women
inside this symbol of happiness and freedom) with his friend and host
for the day - The Wizard of Peace (Dumbledore's brother) - alias leading
Blue Mountains artist, John Ellison and former Cultural Development Officer
with the Blue Mountains City Council.
The Walk for Peace
will proceed for 2 kms down Katoomba Street Shopping Centre, turn into
Waratah Street then Lurline Street coming to Hinkler Park.In Hinkler Park
will be a free Concert and Entertainment, playground activities for Children
and a special Family Picnic area.
Peace Vigil @ Sydney
Town Hall Square
Following the hugely successful Walk Against the War on November 30,
the Walk Against the War Coalition has called for Peace Vigils to be held
at Town Hall Square on Friday December 20, Christmas Eve and every Friday
in January at the same venue.
WOMEN IN BLACK
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.
http://www.womeninblackoz.com
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5.
REPORTS
The latest Library
Research Service Briefing Paper No. 15/2002 entitled "Bail Law and
Practice: Recent Developments by Rowena Johns" is now available
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/PHWebContent.nsf/PHPages/ResearchBf152002
Volume Six of the
Auditor-General's Report to Parliament for 2002
This Volume covers the outcomes of our audits of around 185 General
Government Sector agencies, statutory bodies and State owned corporations.
Key agencies included are those in the electricity and superannuation
sectors, the Attorney General's Department, the Department of Corrective
Services, the State Transit Authority and the WorkCover Authority. There
are also separate comments on whether Government agencies are complying
with aspects of two standards issued under the State Records Act 1998,
with the investment and borrowing requirements of the Public Authorities
(Financial Arrangements) Act 1987 and the Regulation 2000, and with requirements
of the New Tax System (Goods and Services) Act 1999.
The Report is available on the Audit Office's website at
http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/agrep02v6/Contents.htm
.
A list of significant items is shown at http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/agrep02v6/SignificantItems.html
6.
WEBSITES PLUS
Interested in Global
Greens issues - email Deb Foskey debf@cyberone.com.au
and request her regular updates.
Want to share your
favourite website? - send in your hot tips.
This week's hot sites:
Energy from Waste Workshop Reports available online
http://www.wmaa.asn.au/efw/sustainability.html
A hot tip from an organic farmer - worth checking out
http://www.non-gm-farmers.com
GREENS
http://www.greens.org.au
http://www.greens.org.au/bobbrown
http://www.nsw.greens.org.au
http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/lee
http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/ian
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au
GREENS INTERNATIONAL
http://www.greens.org.nz
http://www.gp.org
http://www.europeangreens.org
RAIN (Real Alternatives
Information Network)
http://www.web.net/rain/UG-readings.htm
Responsible Politics.
A quick way to check out where the money comes from for US elections.
http://www.opensecrets.org
Coastwatchers-Narooma/Tilba
Residents Action Group
http://www.acr.net/~coastwatchers/ntrag
Stop all Stacks
(RAPS)
http://www.nostack.8m.com/
Friends of Currawong
http://www.savecurrawong.org
Give all Australian
women access to community led 1-on-1 midwifery care http://www.communitymidwifery.iinet.net.au/nmapcampaign/nmapindex.html
No animal testing
- No animal ingredients
http:// www.crueltyfreeshop.com.au
Students and Sustainability
Conference 2002
http://www.asen.org.au/ss2002/
Key forest campaign
northeast NSW
http://www.nefa.org.au/jilliby
Justice Action
http://www.justiceaction.org.au
Active-Sydney
http://www.active.org.au/sydney
Indigenous rights
http://www.AboriginalPhilosophyFarm.com/project2002/index.html
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
Give all Australian
women access to community led 1-on-1 midwifery care http://www.communitymidwifery.iinet.net.au/nmapcampaign/nmapindex.html
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
Myall Creek Massacre
and the beautiful memorial now at Myall Creek overlooking the site. A
major symbol of Truth History and Reconciliation for Australia.
http://www.myallcreekmemorial.com.au
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7.
Jobs Vacant
Office Co-ordinator:
Environmental Defender's Office (WA) Inc
The EDO seeks an experienced office/project manager with a keen interest
in the environment to administer its office and co-ordinate special projects.
The position is preferably full-time but part-time applications will be
considered. Remuneration is $40,000 p/a plus superannuation (pro rata).
The EDO is a non-profit community legal centre specialising in environmental
law, including legal advice, education and law reform.
For a copy of the job description, contact the EDO on (08) 9221 3030 or
email edowa@edo.org.au Applications close 24/01/2003.
Principal Solicitor:
Environmental Defender's Office (WA) Inc
The EDO seeks an experienced and committed environmental lawyer able
to practice in WA, for the full-time position of principal solicitor heading
its office in Perth. Start date is March 2003 and the salary up to $60,000
p/a plus superannuation. The EDO is an independent community legal centre
specialising in public interest environmental law, and as such advises
and acts for individuals and groups. It also undertakes a community legal
education and law reform role.
For a copy of the job description, contact the EDO on (08) 9221 3030 or
email edowa@edo.org.au Applications close 30/01/2003.
Fair Trade policy
officer/campaigner 3 days per week from February to October 2003
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre seeks a policy officer/campaigner
to conduct community education and advocacy through the Australian Fair
Trade and Investment Network about the impact on human rights in Australia
of the WTO Trade in Services (GATS) negotiations and the proposed US-Australia
Free Trade Agreement. These rights include access to health, education,
and water services, the protection of local and indigenous cultures, and
industry policies which can provide local employment, training and economic
development.
Tasks include research, policy development, submission writing, community
education, campaigning, political lobbying, liaising with network members
and fundraising.
Applications close 10 January 2003. For full job description and selection
criteria contact Jane King at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre: jking@piac.asn.au
Office Administration
and Community Relations Manager
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) is currently
seeking suitable applicants for the new position of Office Administration
& Community Relations Manager, to be based in our National Office
in Sydney.
This is a part-time (3 days per week), temporary position for a period
of 12 months, commencing early in 2003.
Applications close: Friday 10 January 2003.
All inquiries to David Cooper on 02-95556138, or 0418 486310 or davidc@antar.org.au
(Please note that the ANTaR office will be closed during the week 23-27
December)
COMMUNICATIONS
COORDINATOR @ CANA. Open until filled. Please apply a.s.a.p.
A part-time position is open at the Climate Action Network Australia
for the right person to add to the profile of this growing organisation
an exciting, articulate and sound communications strategy. The terms and
conditions of the position are flexible depending on experience and what
the successful applicant can do for the organisation. Pay will be within
a range from $27,000 and $36,000 p.a. for a 3 to 4 day work week pending
negotiation, for at least six months and probably longer contingent on
a positive review and further funding.
SKILLS NEEDED:
- Word processing, writing, editing and project management skills
- Web-based and internet communications experience (preferred)
- Experience with NGOs / social change organisations and media
- Understanding of climate change science and politics (preferred)
- Initiative, spunk and enthusiasm to help us build CANA over time.
Please send your resume, the names of three referees and a cover letter
outlining your qualifications to the Search Committee, CANA, 11/ 3 Nathan
St, Coogee 2034 Australia or by email to danny@climateaustralia.org
Mineral Policy
Institute
Management, Campaign & Administration Team
The Mineral Policy Institute (MPI) is a dynamic environmental and
human rights organisation, based in Sydney, Australia. MPI was set up
in response to the devastating social and environmental impacts of the
rapid internationalisation of the Australian mining industry and the increasing
number of requests for assistance from communities and NGOs in the Asia
Pacific region, and, in particular, for information on Australian companies
and the mining industry.
We seek four positions
to make up a new campaign, management and support team for MPI. These
positions will join existing campaigners and ongoing fundraising consultants,
as well as an established Board and network of supporters.
The four positions are: Director, Administrator/Office Coordinator, Papua
New Guinea Campaigner and Mineral Sands Campaigner.
Positions will be based in MPI's Sydney office. Full-time and part-time
arrangements will be considered. Pay is negotiable (based on skills and
experience) $39,000 - $54,000 p.a. including superannuation.
Further information
about the positions, employment conditions and how to apply are available
by calling Alison Gibbins on 0421 322 915. Applications close January
19th.
8.
Contact Details for Greens MP's
Senator Kerry
Nettle
senator.nettle@aph.gov.au
Sydney Office
Ph - 02 9241 6663
Fx - 02 9241 6680
Ian Cohen, MLC
ian.cohen@parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/ian
Ph - 02 9230 2603
Fx - 02 9230 2267
Lee Rhiannon,
MLC
lee.rhiannon@parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/lee
Ph - 02 9230 3551
Fx - 02 9230 3550
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