GREENS E-BRIEF 266

Thursday 16th December 2010

This is the last ebrief for 2010. Ebrief is taking a short break and will be back on Thursday 20
January. We wish you all a happy festive season and a peaceful and sustainable 2011 - not to
mention a successful year for the Greens.
If you are having difficulty reading this E-brief please go
to http://www.nsw.greens.org.au/ebrief
This E-brief contains information about the activities of Greens NSW MPs. It also contains
events happening over the next month.
Events listed in this email are for information only and do not imply endorsement by the
Greens NSW or Greens members of parliament.

This Issue:

1. State election campaign report

2. From the offices of Greens MPs in NSW
3. Coming events involving Greens
4. What's on?
5. Hot website tips
6. Current campaigns
7. Positions Vacant
8. Submitting items for E-Brief
9. Contact the Greens NSW
HAND OUT FOR THE GREENS IN THE STATE ELECTION
The NSW state election will be held on Saturday 26 March 2011. If you would like to help
the Greens election campaign please keep this day free to hand out how to votes for the
Greens, and let your friends and family know too.

STATE ELECTION CAMPAIGN REPORT

Campaign hots up
As we head into the end of the year we now have 68 candidates for our 93 lower house seats.
The new website is ready to launch next week and our campaign team has grown with several
new organisers and communications staff coming on board. We will be in touch with local
campaigns next week about staffing during the holiday period.

Victorian election results

In the final washup the Victorian Greens increased their vote in lower house seats by 1% and
retained all three upper house seats. This is a fine result.
Growing the Greens Facebook presence
We’re keen to attract more friends to our facebook page, providing one way to build our
support during the campaign. Why not take a second to ‘Like’ our page and invite your
friends to do the same? Lead candidates David Shoebridge, Jeremy Buckingham, candidate
for Balmain Jamie Parker and Candidate for Marrickville Fiona Byrne are all active on
Facebook.

Campaign activities
A candidates workshop was held in Sydney on Sunday and EMS training was held in
Newcastle. Additional workshops are planned for Western Sydney, Northern Beaches, North
Coast and southern NSW. If you want to attend these sessions contact Chris Holley on
cholley@nsw.greens.org.au.

Have you signed up to help on 26 March 2011?

Why not find a friend to get involved for the first time? Greens campaigns are planning now
for leaflet distribution, event organisation and staffing polling booths. Email
volunteer@nsw.greens.org.au with your details.

Have a great holiday break and we look forward to working with you all in 2011!

Lesa de Leau
Campaign Coordinator

FROM THE OFFICES OF GREENS MPs IN NSW

IAN COHEN MLC

www.iancohen.org.au
email Ian
Ph 9230 2603 Fax 9230 2267

Recreational Fishing Inquiry finalises report

After almost 12 months of hearings and deliberations the Select Committee into Recreational
Fishing has finally handed down its report. The inquiry was established by the Shooters and
Fishers Party and has been used as a platform to generate electoral support for the Shooters
and Fishers Party. Some of the recommendations of the report are disappointing and will have
adverse effects on our marine environment if implemented. ABC Southern Courier

HMAS Adelaide Protest

Last Sunday I spoke at a rally at Avoca opposing the scuttling of the HMAS Adelaide off
Avoca and a number of other contentious developments on the central coast. SMH youtube

Ecological consultants scheme legislation introduced

In the final weeks of parliament I introduced a private members Bill to establish an
accreditation scheme for ecological consultants and authors of environmental assessments.
The scheme was modelled on those currently in place for contaminated lands auditors and
bio-banking, along with guidance from the ecological consultant industry obtained during
extensive consultation with them. It would help to address concerns about proponents
"consultant shopping" to get the best possible outcome for their particular development
agenda. Hansard

Merry Beach Caravan park political donations raises questions about National Park
revocation
As part of the legislation reserving key south west cypress forests, the Lands and Property
Management Authority (LPMA) also secured the revocation of 6.5 ha of Murramarang
National Park to legalise the encroachment of Merry Beach Caravan Park. During the debate
on the legislation both myself and Dr John Kaye raised issues about the probity of the LPMA
seeking the revocation of national park land. The NSW Government has denied the $2000
donation from the caravan park owner influenced the decision to seek the revocation. SMH

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JOHN KAYE MLC

www.johnkaye.org.au
Email John
Follow John on twitter
Ph 9230 2668 Fax 9230 2586

NSW will pay for decades for irresponsible power sell-off

The state's finances, the environment, employees and households will be worse off because of
Treasurer Eric Roozendaal's reckless power privatisation. John accused the Keneally
government in its last gasp of puncturing a hole in the state's future. Board members who
resigned from the state-owned companies were right to label this as an irresponsible fire sale.
Within seven years the state's finances will be worse off. Treasurer Roozendaal has
squandered opportunities to use public ownership to reduce household electricity bills and cut
greenhouse gas emissions. Media release The Australian ABC
Wealthy private schools rort HSC special provisions
John released figures showing private schools are gaining unfair advantage for their HSC
students by unethically exploiting the system of additional assistance designed to help
candidates who are genuinely disadvantaged by ill health or a special need. The proportion of
HSC special provisions at 9 of the state's wealthiest private schools was three times that of
the public school average. Across the state 9.5 percent of private school students received
additional assistance compared to 5.3 percent in the public system. Students who do the right
thing are being dumped into unfair competition against those wealthy non-government
institutions that behave unscrupulously. Media release SMH

NSW takes next step on slippery slope to compromised curriculum

Education Minister Verity Firth failed to put the brakes on the drive to a flawed and inferior
national curriculum. Ms Firth buckled to pressure to keep the national curriculum show on
the road. Media release SMH

Central Coast environment loses out to EnergyAust substation

Construction is about to begin on an electricity substation at Empire Bay on the state's
Central Coast. The project will undermine the local survival of a number of endangered
species. John called on Energy Minister Paul Lynch to halt construction and start consulting
with the community to identify alternatives including other sites and energy efficiency. Media
release Express Advocate

NSW Education Dept fails remote communities

The Department of Education has failed to work with Aboriginal communities to deliver on
the promise of quality public education for every child. Media release SMH

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CATE FAEHRMANN MLC

www.catefaehrmann.org
Facebook
Follow Cate on Twitter
Email Cate
Ph 9230 2320 Fax 9230 2420
Media: Peter Stahel Ph 0433 005 727

Coal seam gas in St Peters

Cate hosted a successful public meeting at Petersham Town Hall, where concerned residents
gathered to hear more about the approved drilling site in St Peters and the coal seam gas
industry. The meeting heard from Marrickville Mayor Fiona Byrne, Queensland coal seam
gas campaigner Drew Hutton, and 'Lock the Gate Alliance' rep John Thomson. Cate told the
residents about her meeting with the gas company and of the Greens campaign to put a
moratorium on the industry.

Afterwards the residents formed their own campaign group, and Cate's office has been
helping them get organised for a rally this coming Sunday, 11AM cnr Campbell Rd & Euston
St, St Peters. Please come along and support the residents. The residents have also created
this website: www.nogasmininginsydney.com Why not share it on Facebook & Twitter?

Global Greens Breakfast

Bob Brown came to NSW Parliament last week for a breakfast hosted by Cate with Dorothy
Tekwie of the Greens in Papua New Guinea. They are facing some of the toughest
circumstances imaginable and Dorothy spoke of these many challenges, but also the way
forward for the Greens, for the environment and for social justice in PNG - our closest
neighbour.

Keep up to date with Cate's work in and outside of parliament. Visit her blog
catefaehrmann.org and follow her on Twitter@greencate

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DAVID SHOEBRIDGE MLC

www.davidshoebridge.org.au
Email David
Follow David on Twitter
Join David on Facebook
Phone: 9230 3030

Wikileaks
In the past week, two rallies have been held in Sydney in support of Wikileaks and Julian
Assange. David spoke at both, highlighting the importance of transparency and freedom of
information, and also the links between the online and real world. The second rally involved
confrontations between organisers and police, which David captured on video. ABC The
Australian David's Speech IT News

The first rally coincided with UN Human Rights Day and a forum David held to discuss the
Draft Bill of Rights Bill for NSW. Attorney-General John Hatzistergos has described a
charter of rights for NSW as one of his greatest fears. When the government says they don't
want a bill of rights, it's a pretty sure sign that we need one. SMH

Barangaroo Approval
In a pre-Christmas public giveaway, Premier Keneally has approved Lend Lease's most
recent concept plan for Barangaroo. The concept plan exceeds local planning regulations by
over 300 per cent in height alone and includes a hotel jutting into our harbour.

Lend Lease's design concepts have faced opposition from the Greens, the National Trust, the
Planning Institute and the Australian Institute of Architects, City of Sydney Council and
community groups such as Friends of Barangaroo. All this opposition has fallen on deaf ears
as the Premier pushed ahead with her preferred developer. Media Release SMH
This kind of decision is made possible by Part 3A of NSW's planning laws. An ICAC report
into Part 3A this week found that there was an obvious risk of corruption in having any one
politician with an unlimited discretion to approve large scale private developments. SMH
Media Release

HEZ Biobanking
A report on the Hunter Economic Zone (HEZ) uncovered through a call for papers has proved
to be a damning indictment of planning on this project. The Desktop Biobank Assessment
Report for the Revised Hunter Economic Zone Masterplan 2009, shows that the biodiversity
in the proposed site is so rich that development is practically untenable. Despite this
assessment the Government retains power under Part 3A to approve development on the site.
SMH

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COMING EVENTS INVOLVING GREENS

No gas drilling in Sydney - urgent rally

Sunday 19 December, 11am
Near the approved drill site Cnr Campbell Road and Euston Street, St Peters
Coal seam gas (CSG) mining is a risk to local water and air quality. The government has
failed to adequately regulate this potentially dangerous industry. Come along and voice your
concerns about the dangers of CSG and the approved exploration drill site in St Peters. Bring
your family, friends, neighbours – and placards!
More information, call Greens MP Cate Faehrmann on 9230 2320 or
http://catefaehrmann.com/?p=825

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WHAT'S ON

Candidate Information and Seminars

NSW Electoral Commission
Click here for full details

3 Fires 2 Moons Festival

December 17-19
Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Featuring the opening of the History Pod, Karen Gough's book launch, Aboriginal cultural
knowledge exchange and entrainment including; Combat Wombat, the Leisure Coasters,
Another wheelybin DJ, Nicky Stone and Ash and many more. If you would like to donate
money, lend staging equipment or donate your precious time by helping out in general or
playing a music set. Contact Dantares on 0406 025 683 or 0429682069

Open for Inspection

13 January – 13 February 2011
We have an exclusive early bird offer for Greens members to attend the upcoming production
of OPEN FOR INSPECTION! THE REAL ESTATE MUSICAL! Written by Tim Bosanquet.
Set in the cutthroat world of Sydney real estate, Open for Inspection is a wickedly black, new
musical comedy. Two ruthless, rival agencies battle for buyers during a property slump. They
soon go to extreme lengths to literally make a killing. For each performance from 21 January
– 13 February 2011, we would like to offer you $30 tickets when you book before 13 January
2010.
Simply book online and enter the promotional code GREENS INSPECT (case sensitive) into
the box on the right side of the page.
http://www.darlinghursttheatre.com/page/open_for_inspection.html youtube

Safe Growth and City Crime Workshop Program

Monday 24 January
9.30am – 5.30pm
Sydney University Law School
The Sydney Institute of Criminology is hosting a one-day workshop titled, SafeGrowth and
City Crime - Co-Design, Eco-Parks, Funky Laneways and Fixing Deadzones. This interactive
workshop will explore crime in cities, will challenge participants to develop realistic and
practical strategies from ideas of speakers and from each other and will seek to highlight
some inclusive strategies to prevent crime in cities.
This event, hosted by the Sydney Institute of Criminology, will bring together internationally
renowned social planning, crime prevention and designing out crime experts. The workshop
format will ensure considerable interaction between participants, facilitators and presenters.
Register for the workshop now to avoid disappointment, as places are limited.
The program for the SafeGrowth and City Crime Workshop has been finalised and can be
accessed at: http://sydney.edu.au/news/law/457.html?eventcategoryid=35&eventid=6721

Clean Up Australia Day

6 March 2011
If you want to get hands-on to improve your local environment, why not be part of the Clean
Up Australia’s 2011 calendar of events? From the first week of March Clean Up Australia
will be holding Business Clean Up Day on March 1, Schools Clean Up Day on March 4 and
finally Clean Up Australia day on March 6
All three of these groups can also lend additional help by giving a small, tax deductible
donation via the Clean Up Australia website. To register as a school, individual or business go
to cleanupaustraliaday.org.au or call 1800 282 329
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HOT WEBSITE TIPS

Save Our Marine Life

Less than 1% of Australia’s South West marine environment is protected, despite being home
to more endemic species than the Great Barrier Reef. It’s decision time in Canberra. Send
Tony Burke a message now by visiting the website here!

New Young Greens Facebook Page

The Young Greens NSW have launched a new FB page to promote events and campaigns.
Become a member to receive updates and share ideas about how we can engage more young
people with our Green vision for the future.
The Young Green's are organising a picnic in Parramatta in the coming weeks, details to be
released over Facebook soon. Visit the Facebook page here!

People and planet

Diary and calendar - gift for a better world
http://peopleandplanet.org.au/email/001/personal.htm

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CURRENT CAMPAIGNS

Your Last Right – Voluntary Euthanasia campaign

Dying with Dignity has launched the Your Last Right campaign to build community support
for the Greens' voluntary euthanasia legislation. Join the campaign. Find out about the
campaign here (http://www.yourlastright.com/)
Join the online rally (http://um.com.au/ylr/rally/)

Protect the Liverpool Plains from coal mining - sign the online petition
"..Recognise the significant contribution of the Liverpool Plains to food production in New
South Wales by cancelling all mining and gas exploration licences on this prime agricultural
land..."
We are aiming for about 50,000 signatures. see
http://www.petitiononline.com/CCAGNSW/petition.html

Stop the NT Intervention - you can help

Please consider writing a letter in support of Aboriginal People in the Northern Territory.
Express your concern at the legislation which is currently before the Senate concerning the
Racial Discrimination Bill (RDA) in relation to the NT Intervention. The suspension of the
RDA has brought Australia shame in the international arena. As Dr Alitya Rigney, Kaurna
Elder SA states, ‘Reinstate the RDA with all its powers for the First Peoples of this country.'
It's easy - read the story in full, then sign the petition and form letter.

No New Coal Power Campaign

The Keneally government is moving forward with plans for two new coal-fired power
stations in NSW. If built, these plants will increase NSW's greenhouse gas emissions by 15%
and undermine the future for green energy jobs. New coal power will be an economic and
environmental disaster for this state.

Please call Premier Kristina Keneally on (02) 9228 5239 and tell her you want a renewable
energy future.

Send Premier Keneally a No New Coal Power message today. Click HERE

Download a No New Coal Power petition and get your friends to sign it. Click HERE

For more information about the No New Coal Power campaign, click HERE

Don’t Deal with Burma

Burma’s military dictatorship has one of the worst human rights records in the world and
remains in power because of its vast financial resources and control over the country’s
economy. Australia’s Twinza Oil is investing in Burma’s oil and gas industry. Twinza Oil’s
project will earn the regime an estimated US$2.5 billion. This income is helping fund
Burma’s brutal military dictatorship and their actions including systematic human rights
violations. You can help stop Twinza Oil by becoming a Burma Campaign Australia
supporter

Petition opposing the exploitation of Aboriginal workers

Under the Community Development Employment Program Aboriginal workers in the
Northern Territory are working at least 16 hours a week, but only being paid their Newstart
allowance through Centrelink. In many cases, workers are subject to Income Management
and have 50 per cent of these payments ‘quarantined’ onto a BasicsCard. Print and sign the
petition. http://jobswithjustice.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/sihip_cdep_petition.pdf

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POSITIONS VACANT

General Manager - Office of Senator Bob Brown

Applications are invited for this exciting new position based in Canberra.
The General Manager will play a key role on the Leader's senior staff team,
working closely with the Australian Greens Parliamentarians. Reporting to
the Chief of Staff, the General Manager is responsible for human resource
management for the Leader's staff and developing internal management and communications
systems to assist the growing team of Greens MPs and their staff.
The successful applicant will have relevant human resource management experience and
understand the nature of working in a political environment or similar. They will have
excellent communication skills and enjoy the challenges of a dynamic workplace.

The position is offered under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 and conditions
outlined in the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Collective Agreement 2010-
2012. A salary package between $105 205 - $129, 870 is offered, commensurate with skills
and experience. This includes an allowance of $25,000 in recognition of long and irregular
hours and other features of this position. Generous employer-sponsored superannuation is
also offered.
A three month probationary period applies. The position description is available at
www.greensmps.org.au
Please forward applications including statement addressing selection criteria and details of
two referees to: Kelly.Farrow@aph.gov.au by 19 December 2010. For further information
contact 02 62773170

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SUBMITTING ITEMS FOR E-BRIEF
We welcome your items for e-brief - please email ebrief@nsw.greens.org.au with no more
than 100 words in plain text about your event or campaign (please see existing items for
format).

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CONTACT THE GREENS NSW

Laptops Wanted!
Do you have a laptop you no longer need, in working order including the battery?
The Greens need laptops or notebooks for the state campaign. The laptop can be old and
heavy but must be working. If you can donate your old laptop contact Colin on 0412 924 251
or colin@nsw.greens.org.au

New Phone Number for NSW Office

The NSW Greens office has almost completed the transition to digital phone technology and
we have a new number that we'd like you to commit to memory- 9045 6999. The old number
will still work, but you will hear a recorded message before being redirected.

NSW Greens Website

office@nsw.greens.org.au

Ph (02) 9045 6999

Fax (02) 9519 2177
PO Box 1220, SYDNEY NSW 2001

If you do not wish to be on the Greens NSW Mailing List reply

to office@nsw.greens.org.au with a request to be removed from the list.

Authorised by James Diack, 19 Eve St Erskineville NSW, 2000