Greens E-Brief No. 116
19 August 2004

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IN THIS E-BRIEF

1. From the offices of the Greens MPs in NSW
2. Coming events involving Greens MPs
3. What's on?
4. Campaigns
5. Hot website tip
6. Reports Just Released
7. Job Vacancies or Volunteers needed
8. Contact details for Greens MPs

1. FROM THE OFFICES OF GREENS MPs IN NSW

SENATOR KERRY NETTLE
www.kerrynettle.org.au

US FREE TRADE AGREEMENT PASSED BY PARLIAMENT
After months of speculation and fierce opposition from the community, union groups and The Greens, Labor joined the Howard Government in supporting the FTA. The ALP proposed three amendments, however these were limited in scope and will not safeguard Australia's medicines or cultural content from attack. The wide-ranging negative impacts of the deal on a whole range of other aspects of Australian society were completely ignored by both major
parties.

FARMERS AND GREENS CONDEMN QUARANTINE RISKS OF FTA
In Orange, Kerry joined Peter Darley, Chairman of the NSW Apple and Pear Growers' Association, and other central west orchardists in condemning the quarantine risks associated with the FTA. The Greens and farmers argue that the FTA undermines our science-based Import Risk Analysis, exposing our farmers to unacceptable risk of exposure to pests and disease, including Fire Blight.

GREENS APPALLED BY LABOR SUPPORT FOR HOWARD'S HOMOPHOBIA
In a sad day for the Senate, The Greens were joined only by the Democrats in opposing the homophobic Marriage Amendment Bill. Speeches from major party Senators confirmed the rampant homophobia of the major parties in
federal parliament. Kerry moved an amendment to recognise marriage as the voluntary life-long union of two persons, irrespective of sex or gender identity, but this was not supported by either major party.

KERRY'S SUPPORT FOR WOMEN'S ISSUES
Kerry continues to speak out about the damage to women's rights caused by the government's policies on bulk billing, education and social security, their refusal to introduce paid parental leave, and constant attacks on
HREOC. Kerry has raised serious questions about the Government's handling of the ill fated "No respect no relationship" anti-violence campaign. She spoke at Wollongong Uni's Blue Stocking Week. Kerry has also been
supporting women's reproductive choices by asking questions in Parliament, supporting the National Abortion Rights Day and calling on the Government to take action on the medical indemnity crisis facing Australia's midwives.

LEE RHIANNON MLC
www.lee.greens.org.au

Lee Rhiannon's office is continuing with an industrial manslaughter campaign. Informal discussions suggest that the NSW government will move to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act to outlaw industrial manslaughter. The Greens will support this although we have concerns that the two year time limitation set out in this Act will restrict the number of cases brought against corporate owners. Lee has spoken about these issues to the South Coast labour Council and will shortly address the Newcastle Trades Hall Council.

As we gear up to defeat the Howard government the people of NSW would be left wondering what side Premier Bob Carr is on with his current track record on public education, transport and health. You could be sure the
Labor government would not remove the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line and mismanage hospitals if there was a state election around the corner.

And now the Carr government has turned on young voters, floating an idea to bring in a curfew for young drivers. Lee's office received many complaints about this proposal and she has publicly stated the Greens opposition. With
young people in the country having virtually no other means of transport and with Sydney's rail system a complete mess this idea smacks of a government out of touch with reality.

Lee is watching closely developments with the James Hardie company. The announcement by the company that they will pay compensation to all asbestos victims is a great credit to a huge community and union campaign. The
company's proposed statutory scheme will not provide the compensation that the victims have a right to. If the final Hardie offer is not satisfactory, when Parliament resumes Lee will proceed with a motion similar to the
Greens motion just passed in the Senate calling for a Government boycott of James Hardie products.

Information on Lee's rural tour with representatives of the NSW Farmers Association will be available on her website shortly. Some details are available by viewing Lee's media release at www.lee.greens.org.au

IAN COHEN MLC

BLEAK WATER FUTURE
Tightening water restrictions will not be enough to prevent future 'water wars' between regional communities in NSW as water supplies drop and prices rise due to changes introduced by the Carr Government. Changes to NSW laws on water access rights will make it very difficult for shire councils to afford the water they need in future to supply not just current populations but any new residents and businesses.

Ian spoke with concerned residents and council staff from the Central West last week and was told heated debate over water use was already occurring between Orange, Dubbo and Bathurst.

When the Carr Government introduced a perpetual water license scheme last month it privatised a public resource and exposed the future prosperity of regional communities to the whims of the open market. Shire councils will
now have to compete with large businesses to buy the water they need to supply new residents and new businesses. This will have an obvious impact on the prosperity of a community and prevent investment and employment growth in regional areas.

HARBOUR POLLUTION LEGACY
The Carr Government's decision to axe its storm water grants program in the recent state budget has been exposed for the short-sighted, cost-cutting decision that it was by a Sydney University study of pollution on the
harbour floor.

The independent study found pollution was concentrated at storm water outlets into the harbour. The problem of toxic sediments on our harbour floor has been around for decades and successive governments have failed to
adequately deal with the causes.

Sydney has a storm water system in crisis. Its ancient infrastructure would be expensive to replace but there is little option for a growing, modern city. The Carr Government has known it since 1995 but has applied only band
aids to get it through the next election cycle.

SYLVIA HALE MLC
www.sylviahale.org

ORANGE GROVE
Sylvia spent much of the last few days at hearings for the inquiry into the Orange Grove factory outlet. Liverpool Council approved the factory outlet even though it was against the zoning for the area. Now the State Government has refused to rezone the site, meaning shops will have to close and hundreds of jobs will be lost. This week, Bob Carr made the startling admission that his staff had met with rival shopping centre owner, Westfield chief Frank Lowy. Until now, Carr had denied that Westfield had put pressure on the Government to close Orange Grove, but these claims are looking increasingly shaky. Hearings continue this week.

HUNTER REGION AND CENTRAL COAST VISIT
Sylvia visited the Hunter and Central Coast today, canvassing various issues. Sylvia joined Greens candidate for Shortland, Bob Phillips, on a visit to Ham's Beach near Swansea, the site of a proposed gas and oil-drilling project. There has been no independent Environmental Impact Statement conducted, with Bounty Oil and Gas and their hand picked consultants conducting all environmental studies so far. Limited studies paint a picture of unacceptable environmental damage and no economic, social or environmental benefits for the local community.

Sylvia also attended a public meeting in Erina on the Central Coast to talk about the closure of residential parks. Park residents often own their homes but rent the space from the park operator. Many parks are on prime
beachfront land, and park owners can make big bucks selling the land to developers - leaving residents with nowhere to accommodate their home.

Unfortunately, Sylvia was forced to postpone some other events in the Hunter yesterday when emergency hearings for the Orange Grove inquiry were scheduled.

Sylvia is available to visit any local events or greens meetings - just give us a call.

MICHAEL ORGAN MP
www.michaelorgan.org

Michael has been busy the past two weeks, with Parliament sitting and the passing of the FTA. In speaking out against the FTA Bill he noted that the costs of the deal would dramatically outweigh the benefits and cause
irreversible damage to our economy, our major national institutions and our enviable status as a disease-free producer.

Michael introduced an industrial manslaughter bill, pointing out that people are dying in the course of their employment almost every day and that it's well past time for companies and their directors to be held
accountable when those deaths result from negligence.

He called for the Bill of Rights to be incorporated into Australian law to curb the ability of the Government to detain people indefinitely. Michael also paid tribute to the Illawarra stalwart, Bill Whiley, saying Bill was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Outside of Parliament Michael had to remember his plain and purl stiches when he joined protesting knitters in a 'guerrilla knitting' community action event against Lower Crown Street high-rise. Passerbys marvelled at the colourful wool creations but were saddened to learn that the precious character of lower Crown Street is at risk to unsympathetic development.

Michael welcomed the announcement that the University of Wollongong will finally get its long-awaited medical school, a significant boost for the region. Michael has lobbied Education Minister Brendan Nelson to establish
the school to complement new teaching facilities at Wollongong hospital.

He called Howard's 'Medicare by Post Code' initiative a policy failure, asking why some doctors are more entitled to an increased Medicare rebate than others. Michael noted that it costs the same to treat patients regardless of where people live so it makes sense to provide an increased Medicare rebate to everyone.

2. COMING EVENTS INVOLVING GREENS

"THE SALT OF THE EARTH": A COMMUNITY FORUM ON ISSUES AFFECTING WESTERN SYDNEY
7.30pm, Wednesday 25 August
Minto Community Hall
Lot 1 Surrey St, Minto (near Minto Railway Station)

Speakers: John Kaye, Lead Senate Candidate, The Greens and John Murphy, Parliamentary Secretary to Latham and Member for Werriwa.

RSVP: 02 9824 5405 (for catering purposes).

TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS VS HUMAN RIGHTS
Are they eternal antagonists or can they be reconciled?
2-4pm, Sunday 29th August
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre

Responds to a recent UNCHR document, "Norms on the responsibilities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises with regard to human rights":
http://www.australia.attac.org/pdfetc/TNCHRNorms.pdf

Speakers: Sen Kerry Nettle (The Greens), Sen Andrew Bartlett (The Democrats), Prof Paul Redmond (UNSW Faculty of Law) and Rohan McMahon (Amnesty International).

Contact: Chris Dubrow 0416 385 803, em: chris@attac.org

3. WHAT'S ON

SUDAN REFUGEE CRISIS
Briefing with Geoff Parish and David Brill from SBS's 'Dateline'
6.30pm for 7pm start (8pm finish), Thursday 19 August
Gleebooks (upstairs), 49 Glebe Point Rd

Geoff and David have just returned from filming the current humanitarian crisis in the Sudan. Features a first-hand account of the situation and footage.

Entry by donation to Australia for UNHCR. All proceeds to benefit the UN Refugee Agency's Sudan Emergency Appeal. To book: 9660 2333 or em: events@gleebooks.com.au

PUBLIC MEETING TO OPPOSE SELL OFF OF KU-RING-GAI CAMPUS, UTS
7.30pm, Wednesday 25 August
Greenleigh Hall, UTS Lindfield campus
Eton Road, Lindfield

The Greens are supporting the campaign to stop the UTS re-zoning application being approved. Find out about plans to sell off this outstanding educational facility for medium density housing.Speakers include: Dr Terry Metherell, NSW Minister for Education at the time of UTS amalgamation and David Turner, Architect of the Sulman Award winning Ku-ring-gai Campus.

Details: Ian de Vulder 0412 517 142

SCREENING OF "WOMEN'S FREEDOM IN IRAQ', DISCUSSION AND SPEAKERS
7-9pm, Friday 27 August
Artarmon Library, Elizabeth St

Film presented by Layla Mohammed of the Organisation of Women's Freedom in Iraq (OWFI). OWFI is campaigning: for women's equality in Iraq; against family violence and Sharia family law, which provides legal penalties against women, and for a secular government. Speakers include Zeinab Al Turkey, ex head of the International Federation of Iraq Refugees and Migrants Australia and Husni Underabi, a young Macquarie Uni student who will share her experience as a Muslim Afghani migrant to Australia. Visit:
http://www.equalityiniraq.com/english.htm.

Organised by Lower North Shore Greens. $10/$6; donation to OWFI. Contact: Shauna on 9427 5282.

THE WINTER (OF OUR DISCONTENT) GAMES
Sunday, 29 August
Leichhardt Wanderers Club, Blackmore Park, Canal Rd

Planned events are subject to change to incorporate comment on anything else no one in the government knew anything about and aren't responsible for! Come along and participate, watch or perhaps even run an
event. Visit: http://home.exetel.com.au/thewintergames

Another LASH Production (Leichhardt Academy of Style and Health). Ph Jane: 9569 0020 or 0405 628 803.

NATIONAL FORUM: INDIGENOUS HEALTH AND THE TREATY DEBATE
Saturday 11 September
University of NSW

Keynote speakers include: Pat Dodson (Chair, Lingiari Foundation), Prof Stephen Cornell (Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development (US)) and Ria Earp (Deputy DG, Maori Health, Ministry of Health (NZ)).

Cost $99/$49. Brochure: www.gtcentre.unsw.edu.au. For further information:
Ms Belinda McDonald em: gtcentre@unsw.edu.auor ph 02 9385 2257.

4. CAMPAIGNS

SUPPORT BESSIE SMYTH PREGNANCY OPTIONS SERVICE
The Bessie Smyth Foundation runs a pregnancy options service to improve women's access to safe, affordable and accessible abortion services. They are asking people to write letters of support to the NSW Health Minister and Premier for funds to establish a NSW State-wide Bessie Smyth Foundation Pregnancy Options Service.

For more info ph 9649 9744, em:bessie@zip.com.au or visit: www.zipworld.com.au/~bessie

RALLY FOR TRUTH: END THE LIES
1 pm, Sunday before the federal election
Sydney Town Hall

Three years after the truth was thrown overboard at the last Federal Election, now is the time to say 'No More Lies!' Currently endorsed by individuals/organisations such as: NSW Greens, Marrickville Peace Group,
Refugee Action Coalition, Tanya Plibersek, Resistance.

To endorse the rally and get involved call: Iggy 0421 322 175 or em: endthelies@mail.com.

5. HOT WEBSITE TIP

NSW school and TAFE cleaners are furious that a Labor Government is putting their job security at risk. Fill in the e-mail protest form to Bob Carr et al: http://www.lhmu.org.au/lhmu/campaigns/nsw_cleaners/protest_form.html

6. REPORTS

Parliamentary Library Research Service Background Papers: 'Medical Cannabis Programs: A Review of Selected Jurisdictions' by Rowena Johns and '2004 NSW Redistribution: Analysis of Draft Boundaries' by Antony Green. Visit:
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/V3ListRPSubjecthtml

7. JOB VACANCIES OR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURES
The Institute is looking for a motivated person to undertake data analysis and computer modelling, options costing and analysis for urban water/ wastewater systems. Visit:
http://www.isf.uts.edu.au/whatsnew/whatsnewposvacant.html

ANTI-BASES CAMPAIGN SEEKS FALSH ANIMATOR/PROGRAMMER
The Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition (AABCC) has a small grant to develop a short animation and a strip comic opposing the US anti-missile system ("Star Wars"). The Campaign is looking for a flash animator or flash
programmer to work with another animator on an animation about Star Wars. Someone from Sydney is preferable but not essential. We will not be able to pay commercial rates (most of the team are volunteers), but the grant
covers set up, production and distribution costs that should allow us to pay some money.
Contact: Dr Hannah Middleton on (02) 9660 7562 or 0418 668 098 or em: peace@mira.net.

WHEN THE WORLD SAID NO TO WAR PROJECT
Do you have an image that will change the world? Project includes exhibition, education forum and book based on the weekend of 14-16 February 2003 when the world demonstrated against war. Organisers want photos of demos that weekend. They may be of two people, or two million people demonstrating. For more info visit:
http://www.whentheworldsaidno.org or em: karenadler@iprimus.com.au

NATIONAL YOUNG WRITERS' FESTIVAL NEEDS YOU!
Help sought to billet friendly writer types during this year's 'This Is Not Art' festival, September 30-4 October. Ph 02 4927 1475 or em:
coords@youngwritersfestival.org

8. CONTACT DETAILS FOR GREENS MPs

Michael Organ MP - Member for Cunningham
Michael.Organ.MP@APH.Gov.Au
Illawarra Office Ph 4228 3666 Fx 4228 3677
Parliament Office Ph 6277 4366 Fx 6277 8472
http://www.michaelorgan.org.au

Lee Rhiannon MLC
lee.rhiannon@parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.lee.greens.org.au
Ph 9230 3551 Fx 9230 3550

Ian Cohen MLC
ian.cohen@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Ph 9230 2603 Fx 9230 2267

Sylvia Hale MLC
sylvia.hale@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Ph 02 9230 3030 Fax 02 9230 2159

Senator Kerry Nettle
senator.nettle@aph.gov.au
http://www.kerrynettle.org.au
Sydney Office Ph 9690 2038 Fax 9690 2041
Canberra Office Ph 6277 3501 Fx 6277 5716