Climate change - Act NOW
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Hobart on April 30 signed on to the Federal Government’s paltry National Renewable Energy Target (RET) and agreed to exemptions of up to 90 percent for the most intensive emitters of green house gases where these are export-related.
Broadband and the cycle of privatisation
It’s raining big budget government spending items at the moment. One of the recently announced ones was the “fibre-to-the-home” National Broadband Network (NBN) valued at $43 billion. The Commonwealth will have a 51 percent stake in the project that will deliver potential download speeds of up to 100 megabytes per second (Mbbps) to up to 90 percent of the Australian population – exceeding Rudd’s 2007 election undertaking by a long margin. It will generate 25,000 jobs a year over the eight years it will take to roll out.
11.5.09
10.5.09
Sack the ALP!
I am ploughing through the rest of the Ombudsman’s report into Brimbank Council and I am keen to extend the message that so far seems to be predominating in the media calling for the sacking of the council.
We can't rely on the Labor Party to fix this mess. Bringing in an administrator will be bringing in an ALP person. Suggesting the Local Government Victoria or the Local Government Minister (Richard Wynne MP) can fix it is nonsense when they are the ones who refused to address it up til now. Every ALP MP in this area has been implicated - right up to Premier Brumby who relies on them for his numbers.
I think we need to call for another election immediately, and let the people of Brimbank decide. Let them face the electorate having disgraced themselves and run down democracy in the West. I want to see people genuine in their commitment to our community step up and redefine our local politics for the public good.
I am ploughing through the rest of the Ombudsman’s report into Brimbank Council and I am keen to extend the message that so far seems to be predominating in the media calling for the sacking of the council.
We can't rely on the Labor Party to fix this mess. Bringing in an administrator will be bringing in an ALP person. Suggesting the Local Government Victoria or the Local Government Minister (Richard Wynne MP) can fix it is nonsense when they are the ones who refused to address it up til now. Every ALP MP in this area has been implicated - right up to Premier Brumby who relies on them for his numbers.
I think we need to call for another election immediately, and let the people of Brimbank decide. Let them face the electorate having disgraced themselves and run down democracy in the West. I want to see people genuine in their commitment to our community step up and redefine our local politics for the public good.
9.5.09
Interview with 774AM Jon Faine
I am interviewed by Jon Faine, who has an instinct for inducing a sensationalist sound bite and cuts me off when I explain the importance of voting for the Greens.
Link to the interview
I am interviewed by Jon Faine, who has an instinct for inducing a sensationalist sound bite and cuts me off when I explain the importance of voting for the Greens.
Link to the interview
8.5.09
Released: The Victorian Ombudsman’s report into alleged improper conduct at Brimbank Council
This report is well overdue and very welcome. It is finally saying the things our community has been telling the Local Government Minister for years. Now we need action to eliminate these practises and ensure genuine democratic processes.
The Brimbank Greens call for new elections immediately.
Streets Ahead in Ardeer and Albion
This evening more than fifty Ardeer and Albion residents turned out for a well organised workshop which looked at making our neighbourhood safer for children and more welcoming for all. Next meeting is on the 1st June 2009.
This report is well overdue and very welcome. It is finally saying the things our community has been telling the Local Government Minister for years. Now we need action to eliminate these practises and ensure genuine democratic processes.
The Brimbank Greens call for new elections immediately.
Streets Ahead in Ardeer and Albion
This evening more than fifty Ardeer and Albion residents turned out for a well organised workshop which looked at making our neighbourhood safer for children and more welcoming for all. Next meeting is on the 1st June 2009.
6.5.09
Meeting procedure Local Law Review
Please see my comments at http://www.brimbank.greens.org.au/
'Social' not 'affordable housing' at Sunvale PS site
Officers have come back with a discussion after this matter was deferred from the last Council meeting. I am told that there was a mix up with the definition of the words ‘affordable housing’ where they really meant ‘social housing’. It should be noted though that no discussions around social housing have occurred with the Department of Human Services.
Council civic centre building
I was the only one who opposed this development at the last meeting and now some other Councillors are expressing concerns. Perhaps they are finally taking heed of the community’s protests against the civic centre - not at Errington, and not at all.
Please see my comments at http://www.brimbank.greens.org.au/
'Social' not 'affordable housing' at Sunvale PS site
Officers have come back with a discussion after this matter was deferred from the last Council meeting. I am told that there was a mix up with the definition of the words ‘affordable housing’ where they really meant ‘social housing’. It should be noted though that no discussions around social housing have occurred with the Department of Human Services.
Council civic centre building
I was the only one who opposed this development at the last meeting and now some other Councillors are expressing concerns. Perhaps they are finally taking heed of the community’s protests against the civic centre - not at Errington, and not at all.
2.5.09
Roussac Reserve Park consultation
I attended the community consultation meeting for Roussac Reserve in North Sunshine. The community had lots of really great ideas about ways to improve safety, encourage appropriate bike use and I really liked the ideas for wetlands presented by Council’s urban design team.
I attended the community consultation meeting for Roussac Reserve in North Sunshine. The community had lots of really great ideas about ways to improve safety, encourage appropriate bike use and I really liked the ideas for wetlands presented by Council’s urban design team.
1.5.09
May Day International Workers Day
The history of May Day is a history of the struggle of the working people to achieve a better quality of life, decent pay, working conditions and for a society that meets the needs of the people. The international labour holiday called May Day originated in the struggle of the American Trade Union Movement for an 8 hour day. The struggle reached its height in 1886 when on the 1st May about ½ million workers were involved in strikes and demonstrations for the 8 hour day.
May Day took place this year in the midst of a global economic crisis. Workers around the world are being reminded that capitalism has been an unplanned and crisis-ridden economic system that is poorly placed for furthering social and environmental interests.
Employers chasing maximum profits will use new technology to cut the cost of labour and increase output. They lower wages, abolish benefits and cut working conditions. Globalisation has allowed capitalism to double its global workforce. It has also created a worldwide wage competition and many high-wage jobs have been destroyed. Worldwide, production has rapidly expanded but the lot of millions of workers is slower to progress.
The history of May Day is a history of the struggle of the working people to achieve a better quality of life, decent pay, working conditions and for a society that meets the needs of the people. The international labour holiday called May Day originated in the struggle of the American Trade Union Movement for an 8 hour day. The struggle reached its height in 1886 when on the 1st May about ½ million workers were involved in strikes and demonstrations for the 8 hour day.
May Day took place this year in the midst of a global economic crisis. Workers around the world are being reminded that capitalism has been an unplanned and crisis-ridden economic system that is poorly placed for furthering social and environmental interests.
Employers chasing maximum profits will use new technology to cut the cost of labour and increase output. They lower wages, abolish benefits and cut working conditions. Globalisation has allowed capitalism to double its global workforce. It has also created a worldwide wage competition and many high-wage jobs have been destroyed. Worldwide, production has rapidly expanded but the lot of millions of workers is slower to progress.
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