Who funded Tate in the 2007 State election?

Who funded Tate and Buman in the last Council election?

Labor preference sell-out supports power sell-off

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
28 August 2008

Labor’s Newcastle council team is preferencing an electricity privatisation advocate, despite overwhelming opposition in both the general community and among Newcastle Labor voters to the Iemma/Costa power sell-off plan, according to The Greens Lord Mayoral candidate, Michael Osborne.

Cr Osborne said that this would now be a factor in local Greens decisions about Greens’ preference recommendations in the Newcastle council election.

“At the very moment that some of their local Labor parliamentary colleagues are courageously declaring that they would cross the floor of the NSW parliament to back party policy in defiance of the Iemma/Costa sell-off, Newcastle Labor’s council team is selling-out its principles and selling-off its preferences to a candidate who supports electricity privatisation,” Cr Osborne said.

Newcastle Labor has decided to preference Cr Aaron Buman, who has spoken in favour of electricity privatisation during Newcastle Council debates on the issue.

“Newcastle Labor has chosen to preference Cr Buman over Greens councillors, who have been strong and consistent advocates for keeping power in the hands of the people.

“Earlier this year, Newcastle Greens decided not to preference any candidate in the next NSW state election who supports, either by public statement or parliamentary vote, the privatisation of the state’s electricity industry.

“It’s disappointing for us and for Greens supporters. When this local Labor team was first preselected, we were looking forward to working with a team of fresh faces who claimed to have progressive views on a whole range of social and environmental issues.

“But in preferencing Cr Buman they have sold out on everything they claim to stand for, and voters need to realise that – just like the Iemma/Costa government – the Newcastle Labor team can’t be trusted.

“Cr Buman doesn’t want Greens on the council because we’re not at the beck and call of the big end of town; Newcastle Labor doesn’t want us, because we prod their conscience, and make them accountable.

“We’ll be asking voters in the council election to send both Newcastle Labor and NSW Labor a message that selling off public assets and doing grubby deals with vested interests in the big end of town just aren’t acceptable anymore.”

[Note: Newcastle Greens does not accept donations from developers, or from any corporations or organisations]

Power without purpose: selling off NSW’s future

The Greens unequivocally oppose the privatisation of the state’s electricity industry. Treasurer Michael Costa is pushing ahead with his plan without a mandate, without support from his own party and without good reason.

The Greens have been actively campaigning to counter the propaganda coming from the Iemma government and warning the voters of the devastating impacts on employment, the economy, household budgets and the environment.

The Iemma government has failed to persuade the overwhelming majority of the people of NSW who remain resolutely opposed. Treasurer Costa’s only support comes from the banking sector which stands to make hundreds of millions of dollars in fees for financial services and the very large commercial and industrial consumers.

One of the reasons the business lobby is so keen on destroying public ownership is that they want to make sure it is households and not industry and commerce that bear the lion’s share of inevitable price rises. As emissions trading pushes up the costs of generation, privately owned retailers would do little to protect small consumers who are less likely to change suppliers. A privatised power industry would look after the big end of town. Household electricity bills would soar putting yet more pressure on low and middle income budgets.

It is not only domestic finances that would suffer. Selling off the retailers and the generators would deny the state an income of about $1 billion a year. Even if the sale nets $8 billion, which is wildly optimistic, and the proceeds are invested at 8% annual interest, after allowing for inflation the state’s coffers would be $600 million a year worse off. That’s a lot less money for public schools, hospitals, transport and housing. Selling off the family silver that is working hard for the state is an exceptionally poor deal for the people of NSW.

While the Iemma government makes much of its promise to protect workers in the electricity industry, their job security guarantee last for only three years. After that, employees are at the mercy of their new owners. This is not only bad news for power station employees and the retail call centre staff. It means that this state would lose a big part of its skilled workforce in energy generation and sales and would forgo hundreds of training places. The Iemma government is making the skills crisis worse.

The electricity industry is responsible for 37% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Private owners would want to sell more to make more profits. That would mean more coal burnt and more CO2 poured into the atmosphere. If NSW is serious about playing its part in the international effort to save the climate, then selling off the electricity industry would make the job much harder.

The lights will not go out in NSW if the power is kept in public ownership. The state will not go bankrupt and there will be more money for education and health, not less.

Selling off the electricity industry would be a really bad mistake. The Greens, unions, most of the environment movement and the overwhelming majority of the Labor party membership oppose it for good reasons.

This is a serious issue for the Newcastle and Hunter community.

The Green on Newcastle Council have stood up for Newcastle and the Hunter and successfully moved that the Council oppose the privatisation of our electricity industry. This Newcastle Council resolution was sent to Iemma and Costa, all the Hunter Councils and Hunter Members of Parliament.

The Newcastle Greens also decided not recommend preferences to any candidate in the next NSW state election who supports (either by public statement or parliamentary vote) the privatisation of the NSW electricity industry.

The Greens unequivocally oppose the privatisation of the state’s electricity industry.

If Morris Iemma and Michael Costa defy their party, public opinion and common sense, and privatise power, it will be all of us and our children who will pay the price.

Who is funding the campaigns?

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
27 August 2008

The Greens Lord Mayoral candidate for Newcastle, Cr Michael Osborne, today called on other groups and candidates in the Newcastle council election to publicly disclose the sources of their campaign funding before election day.

“Well before 13 September, I will issue to the media, and post on my campaign blog (at Michael Osborne's Blog), an up-to-date statement of all the sources of our Newcastle council election campaign, so voters can see for themselves where The Greens’ money is coming from,” Cr Osborne said.

“The Greens have nothing to hide about our campaign funding, and we believe the best way to allow voters to make an informed choice and to avoid a Wollongong-style scandal in Newcastle is for other candidates to make a similar commitment,” he said.

Under current state electoral disclosure laws, voters and the media won’t know where campaign funding has come from until months after the election.

“Some groups (such as the Newcastle Labor team) claim that they are not accepting developer donations.

“Newcastle voters might wonder about this when the same team swaps preferences with a developer-friendly candidate (Aaron Buman) who has publicly stated that his campaign aims to get rid of Greens councillors, who have actively campaigned for political donation reform for many years.

“Spin it as they might, Labor’s preference swap with Aaron Buman makes Labor a partner in a campaign to prevent the election of candidates of the only party that has consistently opposed developer donations. This raises serious questions about Newcastle Labor’s credibility and integrity,” Cr Osborne said.

“Voters are entitled to ask whether this really is a new-look Labor team committed to reforming the electoral donations system, or just another Iemma-style, developer-dressed wolf disguised in local sheep’s clothing.

“Recent media revelations have exposed Labor council candidates in Sydney who have campaigned on a ‘no developer donations’ platform, only to receive money filtered through sources financed by developers.”

Cr Osborne said that the community was also buzzing with rumours about who was bankrolling the campaigns of various Independent candidates.

“People are asking where the money is coming from for both Lord Mayor John Tate’s and Cr Buman’s campaigns.

“People vote Independent in the often mistaken belief that the person they’re voting for really is independent of outside influences. Electoral disclosures – lodged long after election day - often tell a different story.

“Voters deserve to have this information before they vote,” Cr Osborne said.

In the previous (2004) council elections, local media revealed that developer money was behind the failed Hunter Citizens campaign in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

“When voters realised who was bankrolling it, the Hunter Citizens campaign collapsed. But the electoral success of independent candidates would not have been lost on those behind the Hunter Citizens campaign.

“Where is this developer money going in this election?” Cr Osborne asked.

“Have these developers now discovered a more effective way of concealing their influence, by filtering their money through local developer-friendly candidates who campaign under the ‘Independent’ label?”

[Note: Newcastle Greens does not accept donations from developers, or from any corporations or organisations]

For further information or comment, contact Michael Osborne on 0439 442 984.

Hunter Water asked to come clean

Newcastle Council passed the following resolution last Tuesday night...

Noting that:
a. Council is obliged to represent the interests of the residents and ratepayers (Local Government Act 1993, Section 232)

b. There has been concern in the community about the cost to Council residents from the proposed Tillegra Dam

c. There has been media speculation about the cost to Council residents from the proposed Tillegra Dam (see articles attached from The Australian newspaper and The Newcastle Herald newspaper)

Newcastle City Council:

i. Calls for Hunter Water Corporation to outline to the community the full cost to Council residents from the proposed Tillegra Dam, including the impost on new housing development

ii. Calls for Hunter Water Corporation to place together on public exhibition the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal pricing determination and the Environmental Assessment Report so that the community can comment on, not only the environmental impacts from the proposed dam, but the social and economic impacts for Council residents.

Councillor Tate voted against calling on Hunter Water to be open and transparent about the cost to residents from the proposed Tillegra dam.

Missing in action?

One of the few remaining Council meetings of this term of Newcastle City Council was held on Tuesday 26 August 2008.

And, yet again, where was Councillor Buman?

Newcastle Alliance forum

Newcastle needs generational change with genuine leadership not dithering, bickering and excuses.

Newcastle needs new leadership in tackling the challenge of climate change with significant initiatives and real outcomes.

Newcastle needs new leadership to change the Council to be focussed on serving members of the community rather than ignoring them.

And Newcastle needs new leadership to address the state of our City’s infrastructure and the rundown areas within our City.

I have the experience and skills to lead the Council, to make the necessary changes and to make our City a safe and secure place to live for all residents.

Climate change is the greatest economic and environmental challenge of our time. Climate change will impact on our lifestyles, on our biodiversity and on all aspects of life.

There are 142,000 people in Newcastle and every one of them will be affected by the climate crisis.

Some scientists are predicting very large increases in the sea level. If this happens, many family homes will go under.

Will the coal companies, who are making massive profits, be made to pay for the relocation costs or pay to raise the houses?

That’s

• 1200 families who live in Stockton
• 900 families who live in Carrington and
• 1400 families who live in the Maryville/Wickham area

Newcastle City Council has an important role to play in, not only reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but in managing the impacts of climate change for our community.

• As Lord Mayor, I will ensure Newcastle Council proactively develops a Climate Change Strategy in its first year, in full consultation with the community and with expert advice.
• This Strategy will include Newcastle Council establishing a community Green Power program, that involves Council bulk purchasing cheaper green energy from electricity providers and selling it on to residents at an affordable rate. This scheme has already been piloted in Victoria. Good for families and good for the environment.
• As Lord Mayor, I will move for a significant increase in Council’s budget for cycleways from less than 0.1% of the budget to 1%. Our City needs a network of connected cycleways separated from the road traffic, where Newcastle families can cycle in safety. Good for families and good for the environment.
• As Lord Mayor, I will support the community to adapt to climate change with Newcastle Council providing

• interest-free loans for installing solar panels
• a fund to encourage and subsidise the take-up of solar hot water systems
• investigating rate reductions for maintaining significant trees
• a free or cheap bicycle hire system, (like the one recently introduced in Paris)
• supporting community based initiatives like local vegetable buying co-ops, community markets and the use of public land to grow food

• As Lord Mayor, I will continue to stand up for the community – whether it is about the Sydney Labor government taking away community involvement in planning, under-funding public transport or building out our harbour.
• As Lord Mayor, I will continue to stand with the community for appropriate development to move our City forward and against inappropriate development that over-shadows, is too big and bulky and is not in keeping with the heritage of our City.

Newcastle Council needs to show leadership and take the initiative with climate change.

Council needs to adopt the ultimate objective of full carbon neutrality for all Council activities, including offsetting unavoidable carbon emissions.

Council needs to adopt annual carbon reduction targets and reduce Council’s own greenhouse gas emissions in line with them.

Council needs to reduce the size of it’s vehicle fleet to the minimum required and shift the fleet to vehicles with at least 7 Star Greenhouse Rating, according to the Federal Government’s Green Vehicle Guide.

And Council needs to shift its purchase of electricity for its own operations from fossil fuel sources to Green Power from renewable sources like wind, solar and hydro.

Council can lead many initiatives for its community to tackle the challenge of climate change.

As Lord Mayor I will show real leadership about this serious threat to our community.

The time to act on climate change is now.

It’s time for generational change

It’s time for new leadership

It’s time to vote green.

Newcastle Greens Team Tackles Climate Change

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
24 August 2008

“The Greens plan to make Newcastle a leader - locally, regionally, nationally and internationally - in tackling the challenge of climate change. There’s never been a more important time to vote Green!” Lord Mayoral candidate Councillor Michael Osborne said.

“Greens councillors will move to ensure Newcastle Council proactively develops a Climate Change Strategy in its first year in full consultation with the community and with expert advice. In the remaining weeks of the campaign the Greens’ team will announce climate change polices to deal with Council's own operations. Today we're outlining a plan for community initiatives that can start now!" said Councillor Michael Osborne.

“A community Green Power program is a key feature of the Strategy. This involves Council bulk purchasing cheaper green energy from electricity providers and selling it on to residents at an affordable rate. This scheme has already been piloted in Victoria.

“Interest-free loans for installing solar panels, a fund to encourage and subsidise the take-up of solar hot water systems, investigating rate reductions for maintaining significant trees, a free or cheap bicycle hire system, (like the one recently introduced in Paris) … all these are ways Council can help the community take positive steps to reduce climate change.

“A significant increase in Council’s budget for cycleways from less than 0.1% of the budget to 1% is a top Greens’ priority. A network of safe, connected cycleways throughout the city is urgently needed if the city is to be serious about tackling fossil fuel-driven climate change.

“Council support for community based initiatives advocated by organisations like ‘Transition Towns’, local vegetable buying co-ops, community markets and the use of public land to grow food will reduce our carbon footprint and build resilience in the community.

“Council also has a role to play as a voice for the community, lobbying other spheres of government to adopt policies to tackle climate change, including:

• Continuing Council's opposition to the expansion of Newcastle coal export facilities;
• Lifting the minimum standards for water and energy savings required under BASIX;
• Significantly increasing investment in public transport infrastructure and services, including local initiatives such as expanding free bus services;
• Redirecting spending on major dams (a significant contributor to human-caused methane emissions) into climate-friendly strategies such as increasing water recycling, doubling the rainwater tank rebate, and water-efficient washing machine rebates available.

“Council can lead many initiatives for its community to tackle the challenge of climate change. As mayor I plan to show real leadership about this serious threat to our community,” said Cr Michael Osborne.

Contact: Greens Lord Mayoral and Ward 1 candidate Cr Michael Osborne 0439 442984

The Newcastle Green Team

GREENS NO.1 CANDIDATES

MICHAEL OSBORNE [0439 442 984 or 4940 8149]
Lord Mayoral candidate and No. 1 candidate for Ward 1

A long-time Newcastle resident, Michael has been a Greens councillor since 2004 and Deputy Lord Mayor in 2005. He has brought to Council his experience as a consulting environmental engineer specialising in water management, and his local and international management experience. He was instrumental in establishing the Green Corridor, a major local climate change initiative. If re-elected, Michael pledges to continue to support a dynamic and ecologically sustainable city.

THERESE DOYLE [0434 257 892]
No. 1 candidate for Ward 2

Therese is an education policy consultant who has lived in Newcastle for the past eight years. Therese was a Greens councillor and Deputy Mayor of Concord Council (in Sydney), during the 1990s. In those capacities, she worked tirelessly to make sure residents' concerns were dealt with and that council was transparent and accountable. If elected, Therese will continue to pursue these priorities on Newcastle Council .

KEITH PARSONS [0408 446 022 or 4926-5301]
No. 1 candidate for Ward 3

A long-time Newcastle resident, Keith has been a Ward 3 Greens Councillor since 2004 and was Deputy Lord Mayor, in 2004-5. On Council, he has been effective in developing and implementing Greens initiatives on sustainable planning, preserving heritage, flood control, transport, and arts and cultural development. If re-elected Keith pledges to continue to act on such issues and other residents' concerns.

GEORGIE HUXTABLE [0408 344 548 or 4969-1312]]
No. 1 candidate for Ward 4

Georgie is a doctor who works in medical education at the University of Newcastle. A resident of Newcastle since 1985, Georgie is committed to promoting a healthy and sustainable environment for present and future Novocastrians. She has a particular interest in climate change and its social and health impacts. If elected, she will work for Newcastle's transition to a resilient, carbon-free, environmentally sustainable community.

Climate Torch Relay

For six weeks during August and September, the GetUp Climate Torch Relay will tour right across Australia, with the community calling on our leaders to halve Australia’s greenhouse pollution by 2020.

I was due to address the Newcastle leg of the relay at Newcastle's Civic Park on Friday 22 August 2008 at noon. Alas, the train that was delivering the torch from Gosford to Newcastle was seriously delayed and the Newcastle relay had to be cancelled.

But the torch did eventually arrive and travelled on Sunday in my Prius to the proposed Tillegra Dam site on the Williams River.

More information can be found at The Wilderness Society website and the Save the Williams River website.

On the campaign trail

Me and Therese Doyle (Ward 2 Greens candidate) meeting people on a cold Saturday morning in The Junction...

Net-savvy Greens set sites on council elections

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
18 August 2008

Greens candidates in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie are taking their campaign to cyberspace in social networking sites and candidates’ blogs – and they say councils need to switch on, too.

“For a long time, The Greens have led the way – both locally and nationally – in using the internet to communicate with voters and citizens – and we see this election campaign as an opportunity to continue to tap into the power of new communication technology,” The Greens Newcastle Lord Mayoral candidate, Councillor Michael Osborne, said today.

Cr Osborne said that despite comments to the contrary in the local media, local Greens candidates are very much on the internet in this election.

“I was the first Newcastle councillor to actively participate in social networking sites and blogging,” Cr Osborne said.

“I have nearly 400 Facebook friends, and I’ve maintained a series of blogs over the years, both as a local Greens candidate over several elections, and as a Newcastle Greens councillor.

“The net is an excellent way to do politics differently, and to communicate with voters who don’t necessarily access mainstream media, including many young people,” he said.

“Each lead candidate on Greens tickets for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils will be maintaining a candidate blog.

Cr Osborne said that – if elected – Greens councillors would work to improve the use of the internet as a means of communication and consultation in their councils.

“The internet has great potential for local democracy and participation,” he said.

“Councils should be engaging more actively with this medium, and expanding things like online consultation through websites (including online forums), and webcasting council meetings and other key council events,” he said.

All No.1 Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Greens candidates will be maintaining candidates’ blogs by next week. Those already active are:

• Michael Osborne (Newcastle Lord Mayoral and Ward 1 candidate): michael-osborne.blogspot.com
• Therese Doyle (Newcastle Ward 2 candidate): therese-doyle.blogspot.com
• Keith Parsons (Newcastle Ward 3 candidate): keithparsons.blogspot.com
• Suzanne Pritchard (Lake Macquarie Mayoral and West Ward candidate): suzanne-pritchard.blogspot.com
• Phillipa Parsons (Lake Macquarie East Ward candidate): phillipa-parsons.blogspot.com

For further information or comment, contact: Michael Osborne on 0439 442 984

Mayfield Community forum

A well-run meeting of candidates and the community was held at Mayfield on Monday night 18 August 2008.

The executive of the forum had compiled a number of questions for the candidates to answer.

1 Forums: How does the candidate view Community Forums (Mayfield in particular)?

2 Environment: How does the candidate propose to deal with environmental contamination in all its forms, e.g. noise, dust, visual, in suburbs like Mayfield that interface between residential and industrial.

3 Community health: There is considerable concern about developments such as the proposed expansion of Kentucky Fried Chicken in Mayfield East, and the reported forced acquisition of homes for a car park for a greatly enlarged restaurant. Bringing the 'obesity epidemic' into this question, should we continually support ventures such as this? How highly do you rate the ideas of local food production and urban greening as viable alternatives for a sustainable future?

4 Campaign finance: How is your campaign financed? In particular, is your Election Campaign financed developers or the liquor industry, whether directly or indirectly?

Newcastle solar business

On 14 August 2008, I joined Greens MP Lee Rhiannon, as part of the Pollies for Small Business program, at the premises Solar Newcastle and its Director Adam Dalby and the Hunter Business Chamber CEO Peter Shinnick.

Solar Newcastle is a locally owned and operated business, that installs solar panels for residential and commercial customers.

The visit was opportune, particularly since the federal government slashed the solar rebate. By means testing the rooftop solar rebate the federal government injured the solar industry at a time when it should be encouraging its growth.

The Hunter is at a fork in the road - governments can choose to support renewables like solar which are reliable, clean and limitless or remain stuck in the dirty, polluting coal age. With its abundant sunshine the Hunter has enormous potential to harness solar energy, moving it away from a reliance on coal.

The slashing of the solar rebate was like a hit and run for the solar industry which comprises many small businesses. Families in Newcastle whose income is over $100,000 who are keen to do their bit for the planet are being discouraged from installing solar panels.

The Greens are calling for national feed-in laws to give certainty for solar businesses, households wanting to install solar panels and commercial investors.

TheTelegraph

The Telegraph reported on 12 August 2008 about the shenanigans happening in the local Newcastle media regarding the Newcastle Council elections.

Taking climate change seriously

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
12 August 2008

Tackling climate change at the local level will be a key focus for the Newcastle Greens team announced today for the Newcastle Council election on 13 September.

Georgie Huxtable, a doctor who tutors in medicine at the University of Newcastle, has now joined the Greens’ previously announced candidates for Lord Mayor (Cr Michael Osborne) and for Wards one, two and three (Michael Osborne, Therese Doyle and Keith Parsons).

Ms Huxtable is aiming to fill the position vacated by The Greens’ popular former councillor for Ward 4, Cassandra Arnold, who recently resigned from council for health reasons.

“I’m very excited at the prospect of representing Ward 4 residents. I’m passionate about meeting the challenge of climate change, and the issues at the forefront in Ward 4 - such as flooding, pollution, wetlands management, urban development, water, vegetation, waste and biodiversity - are all related to climate change, and all have flow-on effects on human health and well-being,” Ms Huxtable said.

Eight other candidates will support the No.1 candidates, making up full Greens tickets for all four city wards (see below for details).

The Greens Lord Mayoral candidate, Cr Michael Osborne, said he felt honoured to be part of a team with such enormous talent and experience.

“All our lead candidates have tertiary qualifications and experience in areas related to local government issues,” he said.

Newcastle has had continuous local Greens representation on the city council since 1991. At the 2004 election, The Greens won a seat in each of the city’s four wards for the first time, giving it equal representation to both Labor and the Tate Independents.

“Now, more than ever, our city needs Greens on the council,” Cr Osborne said.

“This team presents Newcastle voters with candidates capable of seriously tackling key issues, such as climate change; planning, transport, social issues, and city governance.

“We’ll be releasing further policy and position statements on these and other policy areas during the campaign,” Cr Osborne said.

“We’re fully aware of the challenge of maintaining our current level of representation on the council, especially given our limited resources, compared to the other main players.

“Unlike other groups, we don’t accept donations from developers and other vested interests. We rely on our members and supporters in the local community, who volunteer their time and talents because they want our city to have a sustainable future.”

Newcastle was the first city in Australia to elect a Green to its city council (in 1991). Since then, Newcastle Greens have contested every Newcastle council election (i.e., 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2004), and have been continuously represented on the council, winning seats in every council ward.

“As always, we’ll be offering positive and creative ideas for tackling the city’s key issues, and to show how local action by Newcastle Council can help to solve big challenges like climate change and social injustice,” Cr Osborne said.

Each Greens candidate heading a ticket will maintain an active campaign blog, recording their campaign activity, releasing policy and position statements, and commenting on key campaign issues.

Homelessness

I attended a forum on Homelessness in the Hunter organised by Newcastle Young Labor at the Newcastle Trades Hall tonight.

Speakers included Andrew Scholfield and Elise Briggs from the Salvation Army, Robert Coombs State MP for Swansea and Tanya Plibersek Federal MP (Minister for Housing & Minister for the Status of Women).

The event was well-attended, though the only local government representatives or condidates to attend were myself and Councillor Keith Parsons.

The event was advertised as:

This forum will provide the general public with the opportunity to contribute to a Homelessness Plan for Newcastle.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the case.

After a very good outline of the local situation from Andrew Schofield and Elise Briggs, the audience was given a badgering, "we're doing lots" from the State MP and a heartfelt outline from the Federal MP, a few questions were taken before the event dissolved.

No opportunity for anyone to contribute to a Homelessness Plan for Newcastle.

Wallsend Winter Fair

What a great day at the Wallsend Winter Fair!

Here is the Newcastle Green Team in front of the Greens Stall at the Fair.

Me, Therese Doyle (Ward 2 Greens candidate), Keith Parsons (Ward 3 Greens candidate) and Georgie Huxtable (Ward 4 Greens candidate.


And the combined Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Green Teams together at the Wallsend Winter Fair.

Georgie Huxtable (Newcastle Ward 4 Greens candidate), Hannah Gissane (Lake Mac North Ward Greens candidate), Therese Doyle (Newcastle Ward 2 Greens candidate), Me, Phillipa Parsons (Lake Mac East Ward Greens Candidate), Keith Parsons (Newcastle Ward 3 Greens candidate) and Suzanne Pritchard (Lake Mac West Ward Greens candidate and Greens Mayoral candidate)

Quotable quote

"There's not much leadership coming out of this chamber."

Councillor John S Tate
Newcastle City Council
9.45pm 5 August 2008

Life beyond coal forum

Many thanks to Bob Phillips who provided these comments for the Life beyond coal forum held in Newcastle City Hall.

It was quite cold last Friday 27th at 7.30 pm, but the weather did not deter a large number of people from turning up at Newcastle City Hall to hear six speakers’ views on the transition Australia must make from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Questions and discussion following the six presentations revealed that the audience agreed with Ian Dunlop, the first speaker’s argument, that the unprecedented speed of climate change demanded radical changes in our use of the earth’s resources, and that we can no longer stick to our “business as usual” approach to these problems.

Ian Dunlop’s former career as a senior executive in the gas and oil industry gave weight to his warnings on climate change. His presentation emphasised that the concurrence of the three looming crises involving water, food, and peak oil would intensify the growing impacts of climate change. Moreover, the cautious predictions of the last report of the UN Inter- Governmental Panel on Climate Change, were now being superseded. The present rate of melting of northern hemisphere glaciers and Arctic sea ice are phenomena that the IGPCC had predicted to occur near the end of the century.

Ian Murray also has an interest in the coal industry as he is Northern District President of the CFMEU, Mining and Energy Division. He stated that his union’s policy was to support the change to renewable energy but maintained that carbon capture and storage should also be researched. However, he was adamant that the coal industry, that is making huge profits, should bear the full financial burden of this research, and that the Federal Government’s $500 million grant for “clean coal” should be withdrawn.

He was also very critical of the subsidies and tax breaks presently enjoyed by the mining, transport, and fossil fuel industries amounting to about $9 billion every year. In particular, the coal industry was allowed $1.9 billion in diesel fuel tax rebates during the years of John Howard’s government, and this concession has still not been withdrawn even though the industry is now making record profits.

Professor Dlugogorski, director of the Priority Research Centre for Energy at Newcastle University, explained the process of pumping water into hot rocks below the earth’s surface to produce steam that generates electricity. However the geological formations where these rocks are located are limited, and for the next decade or so this Geo-Thermal contribution to our energy requirements would be very small.

A dose of youthful enthusiasm was injected into the forum discussions by Jarra Hicks, who is National Convenor of the Australian Student Environment Network. Jarra’s grassroots campaigning at Newcastle University persuaded the University authorities to change to green energy and to set a 2020 target to become carbon neutral. She urged everyone to practise energy conservation in their own homes and workplaces.

ALP Councillor Marilyn Eade did not canvas ALP policy on climate change, but outlined what the City Council has achieved. By carefully auditing its operations over several years it has reduced its energy consumption by 40% and its water use by 25% compared with 1995 levels. She stated that Council will continue to advocate and lead by example, using its Together Today program to show business, schools, and the community how they can monitor and reduce their use of energy and water. She said that while people might be interested in the reasons for climate change, they will be convinced when they are shown how they can take effective action.

Greens Senator Christine Milne deplored the myopic approaches of the major parties to the problems of climate change. She maintained that Australia is uniquely positioned to exploit the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy. Governments should be working to rapidly phase out fossil fuels in our transport and power industries and promote employment in new green industries. No other country has a greater potential for solar and other renewable energy because of its exposure to sunlight, its industrial potential, and its high levels of education. Yet our governments stand aside while other countries such as China and the USA commercialise the leading edge technology our researchers have developed, and they lavish money on dubious and unproven technology to maintain the profits of fossil fuel industries that have no future.

The forum ended after 10.00 pm, but there were still people who wanted to ask questions and many continued informal discussions over coffee.

Instead of futile point scoring over petrol prices, why can’t our Federal ministers promote policies such as demand management, solar thermal power, water recycling, and solar hot water that would have an immediate effect on our carbon emissions?

Grassroots democracy

Just north of the Equator below Japan, Guam was populated 4000 years ago by a matrilineal people, the Chamoru. In the 1500s it was colonised by Spain. After Spain’s defeat in the 1898 Spanish-American war, it was claimed by the US.

It became important as a military base after World War II. Guam is only about 50 kilometres long, and US bases occupy about a third of its length.

On Monday 23rd June 2008 I had the pleasure in facilitating a public meeting with Lisa Natividad and Julian Aguon, two representatives from the Chamoru people of Guam.

They presented a simple message:

We the citizens for peace and justice on Guam voice our concern over the scheduled transfer of 8000 US Marines and the increased military buildup on Guam and the Asia/Pacific region post-September 11, 2001.

We believe that increased militarization will put our families, friends, and relatives who are living on Guam in harm’s way rather than provide safety and stability.

We voice our concern about the recent US policy and actions that would make our island home more of a target. These actions include the following: the planned expansion of runways on Guam, the presence of B-2 bombers, joint military exercises taking place on aircraft carriers near Guam, and the greater naval presence including the planned expansion of naval military facilities with more nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers.

We the citizens for peace and justice acknowledge that the US military policy is related to US economic policy, in which the valuation of the Chinese currency not being tied to the US dollar, the huge trade imbalance that the US has with China, and the Chinese owning a significant portion of the US debt through purchase of US treasury bonds in order to support the US insatiable appetite for Chinese products, has put the US economically vulnerable.

We the citizens for peace and justice on Guam know first hand the impacts of war on our families, and we believe that conflicts should, first and foremost, be resolved peacefully.

We acknowledge that the US, as the administering power, has both the moral and legal responsibility to protect the human rights to self-determination of the Chamorros, the indigenous people of Guam. As determined by the UN, increased militarization and lack of consent by the Chamorro people, infringes upon the right to self-determination.

The Australian reported on 14 June 2008 that “by 2014 Guam will receive about 8000 US marines who will transfer from their present base in Okinawa, the Japanese Government helping pay the $10 billion-plus relocation costs. With a population of about 170,000, Guam is already home to 12,000 US military personnel and the heavy build-up promises to put further strain on local communities.”

More information can be found at the Chamoru Blog.

The public meeting was convened by the Hunter Valley Quakers and Newcastle NoWar collective.

Life beyond coal forum

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
17 June 2008

Newcastle Greens Councillor Michael Osborne today announced a public forum on renewable energy development, titled ‘Life beyond Coal’, to be held at Newcastle City Hall on Friday 27th June 2008 at 7.30 pm.

“Newcastle and the Hunter can lead the way to a life beyond coal,” Newcastle Greens Councillor Michael Osborne said today.

“This forum will give people of the Hunter threatened by the expansion of the coal industry, and Newcastle, the world's largest coal port, an opportunity to openly discuss aspects of alternative energy resource development that can reduce our fossil fuel consumption without costing us our jobs or the earth.”

The Forum will be facilitated by Michael Osborne and guest speakers include:

• Mr Ian Dunlop, former International Senior oil, gas and industry executive
• Prof Bogdan Dlugogorski, Director, Research Centre for Energy from University of Newcastle
• Mr Ian Murray, District President of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union
• Jarra Hicks, National Convenor of the Australian Students Environmental Network
• Senator Christine Milne, Greens Senator and Spokesperson for Climate Change and Renewable Energy
• Marilyn Eade, ALP councillor on Newcastle City Council

Members of the public, industry, unions, educational and community organisations and political representatives are most welcome to attend.

Secrecy at Council

The Local Government Act 1993, under which Newcastle Council exists, requires that The general manager must, at least once annually, report to the council on the contractual conditions of senior staff (section 339 of the Act).

General Manager Dore refused to abide by this section of the Local Government Act 1993 (and the Lord Mayor was happy to ignore the GM's failure).

The Newcastle Council Annual Report does include some information about senior staff NCC Annual Report 0607, but obviously doesn't comply with the Act ('contractual conditions' means more than just money!)

I have repeatedly asked, since being elected in 2004, for this information to be reported publicly, in accordance with the Act.

When I put this in writing in 2007, I got this reply:



And I asked formally again when the Department of Local Government released their draft Promoting Better Practice Review Report, which backed up my request, and got this reply:



The Department of Local Government recognised that this information should be reported in accordance with the Act in their final Promoting Better Practice Review Report (now on Council's website: Newcastle Council's Better Practice Report)

Recommendation 41:

Council should ensure proper reporting takes place on an annual basis on the contractual conditions of its senior staff having regard to the provisions of section 339 of the Local Government Act 1993 and the matters raised in this report.

The report noted on page 83:

Better practice in this area is for the General Manager to include the following information in the report for all senior staff employed by Council:
* list of senior staff
* the specific term of each contract and when it
was entered into
* the value of the renumeration package and any variations
that have been made in the past year or which are proposed for the ensuring year
* the timing and outcome of any performance assessments that were undertaken
* a copy of any performance agreement entered into for the current year
and/or proposed for the ensuing year, and
* details of any other "material" matters. These could include any requirement for the General Manager or other senior staff to advise of s/he is seeking an extension of the current contract or reapointment for a further term and similarly, any requirement for the Council to advise the General Manager/ senior staff member of any intention not to renew their appointment and/or to readvertise their position.

When will the administration comply with the Act?

Ban developer donations

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
24 March 2008

Newcastle Greens Councillor Michael Osborne today has called on the Premier Mr Iemma to institute his proposed ban on developer donations in time for this year’s Local Government elections due on 13 September.

“It is very good that the Premier has changed his position and is thinking about adopting Greens’ policy on banning donations to political parties, but his proposal needs to be implemented in time for this year’s Local Government elections in September and needs to include a cap on election expenditure,” Newcastle Greens Councillor Michael Osborne said.

“Local Government is the area where most development proposals are dealt with and, from what we’ve seen at Wollongong, is an area where developers make significant contributions to local election campaigns.

“In the last State Election, the Lord Mayor Councillor John Tate received many donations from developers for his $200,000 campaign. This type of electioneering must stop.

“Developer donations are not being given to ‘help’ democracy; they are about buying access and buying influence.

“And spending $200,000 on one election by one candidate is obscene. The Greens have called for individual candidates spending to be limited to $30,000.

“Twenty seven countries, including Canada, UK, Spain and New Zealand, have imposed a ceiling on overall election expenditure.

“It is achievable and it should happen without delay.

“We have Local Government elections in Newcastle in September, just over 5 months away. It is important that the Premier doesn’t dither putting this policy announcement into legislation and doesn’t leave the implementation of this important policy to after this year’s Local Government elections,” Councillor Osborne said.

No strategy in the roundhouse

Newcastle City Council has about 1,000 employees.
There is a range of skills and much knowledge about providing the Council services to our community.

But Newcastle Council does not have a Workforce Strategy, to ensure (among other things) that this 'corporate knowledge' is not lost when people leave.

After months of trying to find out the age profile of Council's workforce, the information has finally been forthcoming.



You'll see from the graph that Council could lose over 100 staff in the next 5 years.

The administration needs to develop and publish a proper Workforce Strategy.

Annual Report for Council

The Annual Report for Newcastle Council has finally been released.

Again, the Annual Report does not comply with section 339 of the Local Government Act 1993 which requires that the general manager must report to the council on the contractual conditions of senior staff.

In fact, section 339 is not even mentioned in the report.

The Annual Report does contain some information about senior staff. They are mentioned on page 12:



and again on page 28:



The full report can be found on the website here: NCC Annual Report 0607

Clarke and Dawe on climate change

Keith's Letter to The Herald

The Herald's cartoon "A Guide to Newcastle Council Meeting Procedure" (Friday 22nd June 2007) appears to be designed to create the impression that Council meetings are violent, full of abuse and out of control; and to further create the perception that Newcastle City Council is "dysfunctional".

It is a damaging and totally false impression and an insult to the Lord Mayor and 12 councillors. I challenge the Herald to provide hard evidence that the cartoon has any basis in fact.

Further, The Herald article "Rate rise slips by meeting"(Friday 22nd June 2007) claimed that "it emerged yesterday that the 4 community submissions that several councillors said they had not seen, prompting Tuesday night's deferral had been available in the councillors' tearoom for more than a month".

In fact, the deferral was the result of the late delivery of a detailed staff report analysing 2 comprehensive submissions (by Hunter Business Chamber and Throsby Community Forum). The report should have been in the business papers given to councillors and released to the public the week before the meeting.

It was e-mailed to councillors' homes at 4.28 pm on Tuesday afternoon, after most had left to attend the meeting. Most had not seen the report. They needed adequate time to read and digest it and discuss it among their political groups.

The article also claims that "several members of the city's community forums described the councillors' latest pickle as a joke and a circus". Executive members of the affected forums have told me that they supported the councillors' actions and were outraged at the staff's treatment of their submissions.

Many cheered the decision to defer from the public gallery and have sent councillors supportive e-mails.

No doubt staff pressures resulted in the late delivery. Council's deferral, however, was the appropriate and proper decision and the only way to give the 2 community submissions the respect they deserve.

Cr Keith Parsons.
1/161 Scott St, Newcastle, 2300.
0408446022.

Council's response to GM outburst

Last night Newcastle City Council unanimously resolved the following regarding the General Manager's outburst:

1 Having obtained from the General Manager an explanation of her actions in this matter and on the basis of its legal advice Council:

(a) is satisfied that by making certain statements attributed to her in the Newcastle Herald on Saturday 5 May 2007, the General Manager has acted in breach of clause 11.3 of her contract of employment - terms of the said clause 11.3 are attached as a Appendix A; and

(b) expresses its disappointment and serious concern about the General Manager’s breach of her contract of employment and the resulting negative publicity for Council and warns the General Manager against any further breaches in her dealings with the media.

2 Council acknowledges the General Manager has expressed regret about her comments and the negative impact those comments have had on Council.

3 Council further directs the General Manager to develop, for Council's consideration, a draft Policy on “Public Comment by Council officials on Council Affairs” and as an interim measure, pending the General Manager’s further report, the Council proposes to adopt the draft Policy on those matters as prepared by its solicitors.

4 Council further notes that in accordance with the terms of her contract of employment, the General Manager’s annual performance review will be conducted in July 2007 (with an experienced facilitator as allowed by the contract, preferably appointed by the Local Government & Shires Association) which Council sees as an opportunity to address some of the issues referred to by the General Manager in recent statements.

5 Council reaffirms its commitment to continue building a professional and constructive partnership with the General Manager and Council’s Strategic Management Team.

Appendix A

Clause 11.3 of the General Manager’s Contract of Employment:

11.3 The employee covenants that in all dealings with the media the employee will use their best endeavours to ensure positive publicity for the Council in accordance with Council’s communication policy.