What an amazing response from the NSW Premier in arguing that Sydney siders should pay a lesser Commonwealth Flood Levy than other residents in NSW and around Australia!
I can accept that there is sentiment by some against the levy but I cannot accept there can be a differential levy. While it is true that the cost of living is overall higher in Sydney, it is also true that the average income in Sydney is higher than most other areas. How can the Premier set the interests of Sydney residents higher than others throughout the state who are also doing it tough?
The Premier perhaps should argue the mechanism for reconstruction funding including borrowing or deficit funding rather than creating another difference between Sydney and Regional NSW. One in, all in.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Truth First Casualty in Labor Campaign
The Labor campaign for Lake Macquarie has begun with the launch of a website by Marcus Mariani. I have been through many elections over the years and I am disappointed to see the way in which it seems this one will be run by Labor. Even during the 2007 State election against incumbent Jeff Hunter, there were no personal attacks by any candidate. Certainly not by Jeff Hunter or myself.
This website launches a broad-ranging attack on me over many issues, including my representation as a State Member since March 2007 and my record with Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC). By the very nature of Council decision-making and administration, the attacks are also a sleight on current and former councillors, as well as staff.
It is an unfortunate fact that while the Internet is a wonderful tool in so many ways, it is also a useful tool for misinformation. The issues and conclusions presented by this website are unlikely to have made mainstream media without at least some scrutiny. My Labor opponent is unknown in public life and therefore can rightly claim no responsibility for any decisions that may have been made in past years. I, however, have never shirked taking responsibility and while in some 20 years of public life I may have regretted some decisions, on balance I believe that most have been correct and that Lake Macquarie has advanced for the better over this time.
Let me respond to some claims by Marcus Mariani.
The claim that the performance of Lake Macquarie City Council has been dismal is clearly wrong. Councils in NSW are all facing financial difficulty due largely to imposts from the state government, yet LMCC remains one of the most financial councils in NSW. Yes, there is Council debt – an appropriate way of funding infrastructure that is normal practice for most Councils and other organisations including state and federal governments. It means that facilities are paid for by the beneficiaries over the life of the infrastructure. LMCC typically spends around 6% of its annual budget servicing debt – this figure is currently closer to 5%. This figure is very modest and quite manageable. Based on nearly every comparative figure provided by the Division of Local Government, Lake Macquarie is in overall good financial shape and very lean in its operation compared to similar Councils used for these comparisons.
The claim that Council would not fund the Warners Bay fireworks is simply not true. Council did fund the event with $10,000, but based on a policy introduced by Council and understood by all Chambers of Commerce, it could not justify the additional funding. Why didn’t I approach the Government for this funding? – Because it was not my State electorate! I am pleased that the Member for Charlestown did. The fact remains that Council was a major sponsor.
The proposed open cut mine between Cooranbong and Awaba remained a very real threat until just after I declared my candidacy in 2007. I am certain Jeff Hunter wished that it had been ruled out by then Minister Sartor earlier, but the fact is it wasn’t. The subsequent issue of a proposed auger mine however was not ruled out immediately and I am pleased that the campaign I ran on both these issues with the help of local residents, means it is highly unlikely such a proposal will appear again.
The issue of the Pasminco Lead Abatement Strategy (LAS) has also been used against me, but the reality is that the matter has always been a State issue with the LAS having been agreed by the State before I was elected to Parliament. That said, an approval was given and recently an amendment was applied for. I immediately secured an extension and widening of the exhibition. This has helped every affected resident understand the impact of the changes on their properties and allowed strong representation to the Department of Planning and the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water.
I have personally been involved in fighting the pollution from Pasminco long before I was elected to Council in 1991. Along with Ken Winning, an LMCC Councillor through the 1990’s, I successfully campaigned alongside the community against all forms of pollution from the smelter. Not trusting government backed EPA figures we moved for council funded carbon dioxide monitors in two locations. These showed Pasminco was well in excess of World Health Organisation standards for CO2. This exposure led to major production cuts and hastened the smelter’s ultimate closure.
This is hardly a record of inaction by Council; in fact it is the exact opposite and such ill-informed comments are a slap in the face to all councillors and staff over this period. For the record, Council opposed the 2007 Lead Abatement Strategy. A State Labor government approved the LAS with a Labor member in office at the time.
Also on something Mr Mariani clearly does not understand, he accuses me of being opposed to the proposed Trinity Point Marina yet using my casting vote to support it. Wrong! The issue of the marina was never before Council, having been taken over by the Minister for Planning through the infamous Part 3A process. What I did use my casting vote for was a question of whether any apartments built, as part of the land component, could be privately owned. The proposal, recommended by planning staff, was that up to 50% of apartments be allowed to be privately owned. I stand by my decision to support the recommendation. My position in relation to the proposed marina has never changed. I believe that it should have been in the order of 60 to 80 berths and that if there was a demonstrated need in years to come for further berths these should be considered on merit at the time.
As to my politics the website states that I have claimed to be “Green leaning”. It also claims I have thrown my lot in with the Liberal party. As a true Independent I make various calls on a multitude of issues and they are always based on merit, not Party politics. Any aspiring politician who cannot balance the environment and development will ultimately fail his electorate. Marcus’s statement on his web site that “Independents can be beneficial to democracy” followed by “the problem is they have their own agenda” graphically illustrates his ignorance of non party politics. Having invested the larger part of my time as a Councillor in environmental matters including the remediation of a Lake Macquarie I think I can fairly claim that balance on policy.
The claim that I have done nothing to advance a community hospital in western Lake Macquarie once again demonstrates the author’s ignorance of the issue. I called the first public meeting on this issue shortly after being elected and have been a member of a committee which has produced a well researched document for a health facility with hospital beds and multiple health services. Along with John Quinlan the hard working committee chairman, we have personally submitted this proposal to the Health Minister. Hunter New England Area Health is currently reviewing its strategic plans and the arguments we have formulated have been a significant contribution to that review. We must await the outcome of that planning but it has always been recognised that a hospital would take some time to deliver. Mr Mariani may care to attend the next public meeting to hear from local residents on the subject.
To attack my social values based on a review of Council libraries is misguided at best. The fact is that during a workshop with 8 councillors in attendance (including 1 Labor) all councillors agreed that our Library service delivery should be reviewed. With Libraries accounting for roughly 4% of our budget and the fact that closing even one or two make minimal difference to the overall budget, it was never put forward as a way to save money. Libraries are changing particularly with new technology and increased and excellent libraries within schools. Library visits are down and our review is looking to make sure that costs don’t continue to rise while usage drops. The Library service has been running without much change for many years. There have been many suggestions as to how the service can be modernized, including a greater educational and research role, new buildings and café facilities.
Halls today are not as relevant as they were for many reasons, but mostly because Council has been replacing them with new and much more functional facilities such as the multi-purpose centres at Toronto, Morisset, Swansea and Cameron Park. Pools are very costly to operate and should be looked at for efficiency and appropriateness for need. Since I have been Mayor we have upgraded a number of pools and acquired the Toronto centre. I don’t know which recommendation will be adopted, but I make no apology for supporting this necessary review. The schedule for any decision has not been set with an election in mind.
The new website makes an unsubstantiated and ludicrous claim that only 18% of the Council budget is spent on ratepayers. This is of course absurd! Council’s entire budget, apart from State levies and taxes, is spent on ratepayers. Staff deliver services and they must be paid.
The website also makes incorrect statements and assertions about the Coalition and myself. At the 2007 election I declined to give preferences to any Party. The Liberals chose to preference me without any conditions attached. The fact that the Liberal Party is reported to be not contesting Lake Macquarie in 2011 has surprised me but that is a matter for them. At this stage I have heard no confirmation that this is the case but if they do run I have no intention of any preference deal.
If there were a “hung parliament” it would be my intention to support the Party with the most number of seats - or given an equality of seats, the most primary votes. The record of the NSW ALP over the last years or so says that is more than they deserve, however I believe it is the only method of respecting the wishes of the majority.
This Labor campaign is strong on the attack, including claiming that it is hard to know what I stand for. I think that most people do know what I stand for and they know that I stand accountable – something I have never hidden from. The irony is that while I am so accused, the author of this website is unaccountable for the misinformation and the half-truths that it presents.
This website launches a broad-ranging attack on me over many issues, including my representation as a State Member since March 2007 and my record with Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC). By the very nature of Council decision-making and administration, the attacks are also a sleight on current and former councillors, as well as staff.
It is an unfortunate fact that while the Internet is a wonderful tool in so many ways, it is also a useful tool for misinformation. The issues and conclusions presented by this website are unlikely to have made mainstream media without at least some scrutiny. My Labor opponent is unknown in public life and therefore can rightly claim no responsibility for any decisions that may have been made in past years. I, however, have never shirked taking responsibility and while in some 20 years of public life I may have regretted some decisions, on balance I believe that most have been correct and that Lake Macquarie has advanced for the better over this time.
Let me respond to some claims by Marcus Mariani.
The claim that the performance of Lake Macquarie City Council has been dismal is clearly wrong. Councils in NSW are all facing financial difficulty due largely to imposts from the state government, yet LMCC remains one of the most financial councils in NSW. Yes, there is Council debt – an appropriate way of funding infrastructure that is normal practice for most Councils and other organisations including state and federal governments. It means that facilities are paid for by the beneficiaries over the life of the infrastructure. LMCC typically spends around 6% of its annual budget servicing debt – this figure is currently closer to 5%. This figure is very modest and quite manageable. Based on nearly every comparative figure provided by the Division of Local Government, Lake Macquarie is in overall good financial shape and very lean in its operation compared to similar Councils used for these comparisons.
The claim that Council would not fund the Warners Bay fireworks is simply not true. Council did fund the event with $10,000, but based on a policy introduced by Council and understood by all Chambers of Commerce, it could not justify the additional funding. Why didn’t I approach the Government for this funding? – Because it was not my State electorate! I am pleased that the Member for Charlestown did. The fact remains that Council was a major sponsor.
The proposed open cut mine between Cooranbong and Awaba remained a very real threat until just after I declared my candidacy in 2007. I am certain Jeff Hunter wished that it had been ruled out by then Minister Sartor earlier, but the fact is it wasn’t. The subsequent issue of a proposed auger mine however was not ruled out immediately and I am pleased that the campaign I ran on both these issues with the help of local residents, means it is highly unlikely such a proposal will appear again.
The issue of the Pasminco Lead Abatement Strategy (LAS) has also been used against me, but the reality is that the matter has always been a State issue with the LAS having been agreed by the State before I was elected to Parliament. That said, an approval was given and recently an amendment was applied for. I immediately secured an extension and widening of the exhibition. This has helped every affected resident understand the impact of the changes on their properties and allowed strong representation to the Department of Planning and the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water.
I have personally been involved in fighting the pollution from Pasminco long before I was elected to Council in 1991. Along with Ken Winning, an LMCC Councillor through the 1990’s, I successfully campaigned alongside the community against all forms of pollution from the smelter. Not trusting government backed EPA figures we moved for council funded carbon dioxide monitors in two locations. These showed Pasminco was well in excess of World Health Organisation standards for CO2. This exposure led to major production cuts and hastened the smelter’s ultimate closure.
This is hardly a record of inaction by Council; in fact it is the exact opposite and such ill-informed comments are a slap in the face to all councillors and staff over this period. For the record, Council opposed the 2007 Lead Abatement Strategy. A State Labor government approved the LAS with a Labor member in office at the time.
Also on something Mr Mariani clearly does not understand, he accuses me of being opposed to the proposed Trinity Point Marina yet using my casting vote to support it. Wrong! The issue of the marina was never before Council, having been taken over by the Minister for Planning through the infamous Part 3A process. What I did use my casting vote for was a question of whether any apartments built, as part of the land component, could be privately owned. The proposal, recommended by planning staff, was that up to 50% of apartments be allowed to be privately owned. I stand by my decision to support the recommendation. My position in relation to the proposed marina has never changed. I believe that it should have been in the order of 60 to 80 berths and that if there was a demonstrated need in years to come for further berths these should be considered on merit at the time.
As to my politics the website states that I have claimed to be “Green leaning”. It also claims I have thrown my lot in with the Liberal party. As a true Independent I make various calls on a multitude of issues and they are always based on merit, not Party politics. Any aspiring politician who cannot balance the environment and development will ultimately fail his electorate. Marcus’s statement on his web site that “Independents can be beneficial to democracy” followed by “the problem is they have their own agenda” graphically illustrates his ignorance of non party politics. Having invested the larger part of my time as a Councillor in environmental matters including the remediation of a Lake Macquarie I think I can fairly claim that balance on policy.
The claim that I have done nothing to advance a community hospital in western Lake Macquarie once again demonstrates the author’s ignorance of the issue. I called the first public meeting on this issue shortly after being elected and have been a member of a committee which has produced a well researched document for a health facility with hospital beds and multiple health services. Along with John Quinlan the hard working committee chairman, we have personally submitted this proposal to the Health Minister. Hunter New England Area Health is currently reviewing its strategic plans and the arguments we have formulated have been a significant contribution to that review. We must await the outcome of that planning but it has always been recognised that a hospital would take some time to deliver. Mr Mariani may care to attend the next public meeting to hear from local residents on the subject.
To attack my social values based on a review of Council libraries is misguided at best. The fact is that during a workshop with 8 councillors in attendance (including 1 Labor) all councillors agreed that our Library service delivery should be reviewed. With Libraries accounting for roughly 4% of our budget and the fact that closing even one or two make minimal difference to the overall budget, it was never put forward as a way to save money. Libraries are changing particularly with new technology and increased and excellent libraries within schools. Library visits are down and our review is looking to make sure that costs don’t continue to rise while usage drops. The Library service has been running without much change for many years. There have been many suggestions as to how the service can be modernized, including a greater educational and research role, new buildings and café facilities.
Halls today are not as relevant as they were for many reasons, but mostly because Council has been replacing them with new and much more functional facilities such as the multi-purpose centres at Toronto, Morisset, Swansea and Cameron Park. Pools are very costly to operate and should be looked at for efficiency and appropriateness for need. Since I have been Mayor we have upgraded a number of pools and acquired the Toronto centre. I don’t know which recommendation will be adopted, but I make no apology for supporting this necessary review. The schedule for any decision has not been set with an election in mind.
The new website makes an unsubstantiated and ludicrous claim that only 18% of the Council budget is spent on ratepayers. This is of course absurd! Council’s entire budget, apart from State levies and taxes, is spent on ratepayers. Staff deliver services and they must be paid.
The website also makes incorrect statements and assertions about the Coalition and myself. At the 2007 election I declined to give preferences to any Party. The Liberals chose to preference me without any conditions attached. The fact that the Liberal Party is reported to be not contesting Lake Macquarie in 2011 has surprised me but that is a matter for them. At this stage I have heard no confirmation that this is the case but if they do run I have no intention of any preference deal.
If there were a “hung parliament” it would be my intention to support the Party with the most number of seats - or given an equality of seats, the most primary votes. The record of the NSW ALP over the last years or so says that is more than they deserve, however I believe it is the only method of respecting the wishes of the majority.
This Labor campaign is strong on the attack, including claiming that it is hard to know what I stand for. I think that most people do know what I stand for and they know that I stand accountable – something I have never hidden from. The irony is that while I am so accused, the author of this website is unaccountable for the misinformation and the half-truths that it presents.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
NSW Ports - a dangerous workplace for Ministers
Well here we go again. Another NSW Minister resigns following one more scandal! Premier Keneally announced at the commencement of Question Time that Minister for Ports and Waterways, Paul McLeay, had resigned this morning at her request after it came to light that he had used a Parliamentary computer to access "adult sites" and online gambling. You could have heard a pin drop in the Chamber!
On one hand this seems unbelievable. On the other hand, another scandal in a now long list for this Government was probably more likely than not. As Peter Besseling (Port Macquarie) said, he wouldn't be surprised if one day the Premier introduced Question Time with advice that one of the Members was an alien! "Yep, I could see that coming" he would say without blinking and return to his inimitable rendition of Dolly Parton's "9 to 5".
On one hand this seems unbelievable. On the other hand, another scandal in a now long list for this Government was probably more likely than not. As Peter Besseling (Port Macquarie) said, he wouldn't be surprised if one day the Premier introduced Question Time with advice that one of the Members was an alien! "Yep, I could see that coming" he would say without blinking and return to his inimitable rendition of Dolly Parton's "9 to 5".
Monday, August 30, 2010
More Police for Lake Macquarie - More Spin for Labor!
The federal election has us focused on the way political parties are foundering because the public has lost confidence in them. While the focus has been on the Federal arena, its not long till full attention will return to the pending NSW election where we have arguably the worst Labor Government ever. Thankfully even during this “quiet” time, NSW Labor remains committed to timely reminders of how self-serving they are.
Last week the Newcastle Herald included an item about three new probationary constables being assigned to Lake Macquarie police. In self-serving Labor style, the news item was crafted to include quotes from the Labor members for Charlestown and Swansea. I’ve grown accustomed to such childish snubs from Labor, but I shouldn’t be frozen out of this issue because I’m the one who has driven it.
I’ve spoken on Police numbers 6 times in Parliament, written to the Minister and Commissioner and had the Minister visit the local Police Command as well as speaking directly to the Ministers about this a number of times. In 2007 I supported the Police Association staffing campaign and on the basis of the effort my office has made to raise these issues, I think it would not be unreasonable for some credit for the 26 new police we have gained since then to be sent our way. Through all of this I note that neither of these Labor members has spoken on police staffing in the Parliament, although the Member for Charlestown opposed my motion calling for improvements to Toronto Police Station. To be truly fair I should also note that the Member for Swansea recently stated in the media that we need more police in the Lake Macquarie Command. This statement is better than nothing I suppose; but barely!
The lesson from this story is that, to Labor, spin is still more important than substance. The deployment of new police was known at the time Community Safety Precinct Committee meetings were held across a number of centres on 19 August including in Lake Macquarie, but in this case it was more advantageous to Labor to keep tighter control the information. It is a disgrace, but not surprising, that Police have been politicised by a government more focused on grooming its own image than delivering services.
Despite all this spin, three new constables is still not a fair share of the 377 new officers. We still have only half of the state average of police per population and I won’t be giving up on this problem – even if I’m never given any credit for the results.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Outing of David Campbell
Well we all know a bit more than when I first wrote on this matter last Thursday night. David Campbell has lived with a deeply personal secret for who knows how many years. Clearly someone knew or suspected but we haven't been told how Channel 7 and Adam Walters came to know about the Minister's "personal choices". I think this is relevant as it goes to the veracity of any claim that 7 and Walters has made that this "outing" was somehow in the public interest. I think we need to know their source, their motivation to follow Campbell, before we could e convinced that this was anything other than a grubby and wicked use of a person's sexuality to add to the ratings of an organisation and to elevate the career of an individual journalist.
Walters has been much more than an arms length observer and reporter of State politics. He has worked for the Government as an advisor and as long as all matters personal are on the table, we shouldn't forget that he became former Minister for Health, Reba Meagher's lover and partner. No longer together, they do now share a child. Walters tried lamely to raise the issue of public interest as Campbell had used his Ministerial car to visit Ken's at Kensington. Well, he was entitled to, wasn't he? He could have even used it to go to Ken's Kebabs at Kellyville if chose. Walters would no doubt have known this having spent more than a little time with a Minister. He and Meagher famously apparently enjoyed a night together forgetting to let the Minister's driver know her car wouldn't be needed! Not so flash for that driver.
With Channel 7 alluding to more to follow I can only imagine that they are desperately trying to find a story to shore up what has become a bit of a PR disaster for them. This grubby intrusion into the personal life of a politician in this way has been shown to more about titillation and ratings than it ever was to do with public interest.
KK seems to have received some good reports over her stance as well. She certainly read her script well (shown by cameras peering over her shoulder) though it really was arrogant of her to utter those words that what Campbell had done was "unforgivable". And this from someone who parades her Christian faith as part of her public life. This wasn't Christian, it was Old Testament. Apart from that pious statement from a clearly morally superior person, I think her overall message was correct. I am glad though surprised, that David Campbell appears to be facing up to the situation so well. But then again, this bloke would be one of the most immovable politicians I have ever seen.
Walters has been much more than an arms length observer and reporter of State politics. He has worked for the Government as an advisor and as long as all matters personal are on the table, we shouldn't forget that he became former Minister for Health, Reba Meagher's lover and partner. No longer together, they do now share a child. Walters tried lamely to raise the issue of public interest as Campbell had used his Ministerial car to visit Ken's at Kensington. Well, he was entitled to, wasn't he? He could have even used it to go to Ken's Kebabs at Kellyville if chose. Walters would no doubt have known this having spent more than a little time with a Minister. He and Meagher famously apparently enjoyed a night together forgetting to let the Minister's driver know her car wouldn't be needed! Not so flash for that driver.
With Channel 7 alluding to more to follow I can only imagine that they are desperately trying to find a story to shore up what has become a bit of a PR disaster for them. This grubby intrusion into the personal life of a politician in this way has been shown to more about titillation and ratings than it ever was to do with public interest.
KK seems to have received some good reports over her stance as well. She certainly read her script well (shown by cameras peering over her shoulder) though it really was arrogant of her to utter those words that what Campbell had done was "unforgivable". And this from someone who parades her Christian faith as part of her public life. This wasn't Christian, it was Old Testament. Apart from that pious statement from a clearly morally superior person, I think her overall message was correct. I am glad though surprised, that David Campbell appears to be facing up to the situation so well. But then again, this bloke would be one of the most immovable politicians I have ever seen.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Riverina Red Gums
Debate on the Government’s National Park Estate (River Red Gum Reservations) Bill 2010 (No 2) came with the type of emotion and rhetoric from all sides that would be expected from such a divisive matter.
The Bill was not expected on the day, at least not by others than the Government who were in the know. Changing the Standing Orders to bring on such an important Bill at short notice and to push it through within the session is just plain wrong – it reeks of “clever” politics, setting aside the expectation of reasonable notice, usually five days.
Concerns of local effected residents are understandable; after all, life as they know it is going to change and all the assurances in the world that they will be looked after will be viewed with absolute scepticism.
The fact may be disputed by the Government, but the reality is that this Bill was brought on, perhaps not as an outright deal, but if not, at least as an appeasement to the Greens as the Government seeks to shore up support for preferences in March next year; no actual discussion of preferences maybe, but a “nod and a wink” wouldn’t surprise me. No slur on the Greens; their views on this matter have long been known and they have worked hard for the result.
Having said that I do support the intention of the legislation, which will create an extremely significant National Park protecting a wide range of species within this important ecological system. Inclusion of a greater legislated role for traditional owners in the management of this land was also very significant.
Local industries have been provided with compensation but it remains to be seen if this is enough. Claims that this Park will generate tourism dollars are in my view quite weak and eco-tourism in itself is unlikely to substantially offset losses from industries that have relied on harvesting timber from the River Red Gum forests. Of course, the truth of this will be only known with hindsight. Because of this it will be important for the Government, and the next, to carefully watch the impact on these communities and take action as needed to ensure that these communities can adapt and hopefully prosper.
The debate was extensive and credit to Frank Sartor who I think argued his point well. Properly done, this decision could in the long-term provide benefits for those local communities and ensure the best conditions for the sustainability of the River Red Gum Forests. In short, I don’t like how it was done, possibly not why it was done, but I think the decision is correct.
The Bill was not expected on the day, at least not by others than the Government who were in the know. Changing the Standing Orders to bring on such an important Bill at short notice and to push it through within the session is just plain wrong – it reeks of “clever” politics, setting aside the expectation of reasonable notice, usually five days.
Concerns of local effected residents are understandable; after all, life as they know it is going to change and all the assurances in the world that they will be looked after will be viewed with absolute scepticism.
The fact may be disputed by the Government, but the reality is that this Bill was brought on, perhaps not as an outright deal, but if not, at least as an appeasement to the Greens as the Government seeks to shore up support for preferences in March next year; no actual discussion of preferences maybe, but a “nod and a wink” wouldn’t surprise me. No slur on the Greens; their views on this matter have long been known and they have worked hard for the result.
Having said that I do support the intention of the legislation, which will create an extremely significant National Park protecting a wide range of species within this important ecological system. Inclusion of a greater legislated role for traditional owners in the management of this land was also very significant.
Local industries have been provided with compensation but it remains to be seen if this is enough. Claims that this Park will generate tourism dollars are in my view quite weak and eco-tourism in itself is unlikely to substantially offset losses from industries that have relied on harvesting timber from the River Red Gum forests. Of course, the truth of this will be only known with hindsight. Because of this it will be important for the Government, and the next, to carefully watch the impact on these communities and take action as needed to ensure that these communities can adapt and hopefully prosper.
The debate was extensive and credit to Frank Sartor who I think argued his point well. Properly done, this decision could in the long-term provide benefits for those local communities and ensure the best conditions for the sustainability of the River Red Gum Forests. In short, I don’t like how it was done, possibly not why it was done, but I think the decision is correct.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
F3 - in the House - No Confidence Motion
The Minister for Transport today survived a No Confidence Motion moved by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Nationals Leader, Andrew Stoner. There was never any doubt of the outcome, the Government always going to exercise it’s substantial majority in the Legislative Assembly.
David Campbell used his full allocation of twenty minutes to put the case why such a censure shouldn’t succeed. I listened to both his speech and that of Andrew Stoner. A normally effusive speaker, the Minister this time was flat and seemed tired. I’m sure that he believes what he said but you wouldn’t have known it from his delivery.
David Campbell no doubt has many things that he can rightly claim as positive outcomes of his tenure as Minister for Transport but the severity of recent failures deserves a much higher level of scrutiny and contrition than the public has seen.
Supporting the motion was not an easy decision however the appalling situation with the F3 debacle on 12 May and the subsequent limp response demands higher accountability. Thousands of people trapped in their vehicles for in the order of 10 hours without any effort to the implement contra-flow exposed many travellers to very real risks. Diabetics, asthmatics or persons with other medical conditions were surely involved. The fact is, those responsible for managing the crisis would have had no answer to any medical emergency that may have occurred. The fact that this didn’t happen was by good luck and nothing to do with good management.
The Minister carries the ultimate responsibility for this fiasco and his protestation and apologies have been as flat as his defence on the No Confidence Motion. The fact is that David Campbell enjoys executive power and he should have used it. Residents of Lake Macquarie that have been speaking to me and who were caught in this traffic jam would want me to support this motion. They want their anger expressed. More than that, they want answers to how it happened and they want changes that will ensure that it never happens again!
David Campbell used his full allocation of twenty minutes to put the case why such a censure shouldn’t succeed. I listened to both his speech and that of Andrew Stoner. A normally effusive speaker, the Minister this time was flat and seemed tired. I’m sure that he believes what he said but you wouldn’t have known it from his delivery.
David Campbell no doubt has many things that he can rightly claim as positive outcomes of his tenure as Minister for Transport but the severity of recent failures deserves a much higher level of scrutiny and contrition than the public has seen.
Supporting the motion was not an easy decision however the appalling situation with the F3 debacle on 12 May and the subsequent limp response demands higher accountability. Thousands of people trapped in their vehicles for in the order of 10 hours without any effort to the implement contra-flow exposed many travellers to very real risks. Diabetics, asthmatics or persons with other medical conditions were surely involved. The fact is, those responsible for managing the crisis would have had no answer to any medical emergency that may have occurred. The fact that this didn’t happen was by good luck and nothing to do with good management.
The Minister carries the ultimate responsibility for this fiasco and his protestation and apologies have been as flat as his defence on the No Confidence Motion. The fact is that David Campbell enjoys executive power and he should have used it. Residents of Lake Macquarie that have been speaking to me and who were caught in this traffic jam would want me to support this motion. They want their anger expressed. More than that, they want answers to how it happened and they want changes that will ensure that it never happens again!
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