Probably the nations best political commentator Paul Kelly analyses the destruction of the Federal Governments climate change policy by self interest and a desperate grab for popular support by the conservatives and the Greens, from an ever cynical electorate.
Former Premier Bob Carr once told me I was naive, not because I believed in good public policy, but believed good public policy would prevail over the vested interests and short term voter appeal promoted in the popular press.
If you measure political success by length of time as Labor leader, or by election results Bob Carr was certainly right.
Whilst I do not suggest Labor should commit political suicide, I honestly believe there is no point governing if one does not try to implement good public policy that one believes in, and believes is right.
I accept that circumstances change, and that sometimes one has to change one's mind. However, when you are right, like the government was on its ETS legislation, it cannot be intimidated into a change of policy. We all have to stand for something.
Kevin Rudd was right in describing climate change as the great moral imperative. Paul Kelly's analysis should give use all food for thought.
Kevin in the middle: a hotter place
by Paul Kelly, Editor at large, The Australian, May 29, 2010
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/kevin-in-the-middle-a-hotter-place/story-e6frg6z6-1225872386179
May 31, 2010
Recruiting Foster Carers
The Benevolent Society’s Fostering Young Lives program, which supports children and young people who cannot live at home, has recently commenced service delivery in our City. As one if its first activities, the Benevolent Society is recruiting foster carers.
There are many reasons why people become foster carers, but it is usually for a love of children and a belief they can make a difference in the lives of children in need. Anyone who is over 21 years of age and wants to provide a loving home to look after children and young people can apply to be a foster carer.
Being a foster carer can involve weekends, a few months or years. Even one weekend a month makes a world of difference. Please contact the Benevolent Society on 9504 6694 or visit their website www.bensoc.org.au if you’re interested in becoming a foster carer and would like further information.
There are many reasons why people become foster carers, but it is usually for a love of children and a belief they can make a difference in the lives of children in need. Anyone who is over 21 years of age and wants to provide a loving home to look after children and young people can apply to be a foster carer.
Being a foster carer can involve weekends, a few months or years. Even one weekend a month makes a world of difference. Please contact the Benevolent Society on 9504 6694 or visit their website www.bensoc.org.au if you’re interested in becoming a foster carer and would like further information.
May 30, 2010
Playing on tyres at Hensley Field
The work down at Hensley Field is really moving along – and soon people will be playing on tyres. Council is getting closer to finishing what will be a great multi-sport, multi-user facility where athletics will be joined by football, rugby and other sports.
Recent bursts of rain slowed things down a bit but provided the opportunity to confirm the accuracy of all the finished levels for the surfaces.
One of the latest sections of work is to lay what’s called the “shock pad”, which is the layer below the synthetic pitch. The shock pad is made of rubber and the rubber comes from old tyres.
So instead of more than 57,000 old tyres going to landfill, they’ll be under the pitch at Hensley giving more bounce and a softer pitch. It’s a better surface and a better environmental outcome.
Recognition of Alf Kay
When Alf Kay, a former Councillor and close friend of all us, passed away, we decided that he deserved proper recognition within our City.
Alf Kay was first elected to Council in September 1977 for the old Daceyville Ward. He retired from Council some three years later in 1980, but in those initial three years he more than made his mark. His absence from Council, I felt at the time, was not in the interests of our residents and he stood again at the 1987 Council elections. Alf was successful at that time and was re-elected in 1991. He served until his retirement from civic duties at the September 1995 elections.
Alf was a tireless worker for our community, especially in community services. As such, I, and Council, felt it appropriate that Alf’s name become part of the Eastlakes Community Centre as it epitomised Alf’s area, both in representation and in commitment to the residents.I know that his wife Lydia and his family are supportive of such community recognition.
On August 1, we will ensure that Alf’s name is permanently a part of the City of Botany Bay when we rename the Eastlakes Community Centre the Alf Kay Eastlakes Community Centre.
Alf Kay was first elected to Council in September 1977 for the old Daceyville Ward. He retired from Council some three years later in 1980, but in those initial three years he more than made his mark. His absence from Council, I felt at the time, was not in the interests of our residents and he stood again at the 1987 Council elections. Alf was successful at that time and was re-elected in 1991. He served until his retirement from civic duties at the September 1995 elections.
Alf was a tireless worker for our community, especially in community services. As such, I, and Council, felt it appropriate that Alf’s name become part of the Eastlakes Community Centre as it epitomised Alf’s area, both in representation and in commitment to the residents.I know that his wife Lydia and his family are supportive of such community recognition.
On August 1, we will ensure that Alf’s name is permanently a part of the City of Botany Bay when we rename the Eastlakes Community Centre the Alf Kay Eastlakes Community Centre.
May 28, 2010
Recognition of long serving employees
It has long been the policy of this Council to recognise the service of our long standing employees.
We’ve had receptions in the past where we presented long serving employees with a gold watch and a certificate of service. It’s often thought that the gold watch is a sign of retirement.
Well, in the City of Botany Bay we see it as recognition not only of long service but an on-going commitment to serve the people who make their homes within our Council boundaries.
Under our policies, we have two distinct ways of recognising long serving employees. For those with 20 years service, there is, as I’ve said, the gold watch and a certificate of service.
For those whose service goes beyond 20 years, we have a special award.
As it has been a few years since the last time we recognised these levels of service, there are a few people who have qualified. I might add, that in future, we will not have a long time between recognition ceremonies. There are 38 people who will be recognised for 20 years service and 10 who actually have 30 years service or more. Between all of them, they have racked up nearly 1500 years of service to the people of Botany Bay – a remarkable achievement.
As Mayor, I am extremely proud of the long term commitment our employees make and I would suggest that our City’s record of service – the number of employees with 20 years service or more – would be equalled rarely in local government.
What I propose is that this year, we hold a dinner in August where the long serving employees and their partners attend, and where proper recognition can be given. I also propose that rather than have some years between recognition events, we resolve to hold a dinner each year, after the August meeting of Council, where those employees who have reached 20 years service in the previous year are, along with their partners, honoured. Council has now agreed to my proposals.
We’ve had receptions in the past where we presented long serving employees with a gold watch and a certificate of service. It’s often thought that the gold watch is a sign of retirement.
Well, in the City of Botany Bay we see it as recognition not only of long service but an on-going commitment to serve the people who make their homes within our Council boundaries.
Under our policies, we have two distinct ways of recognising long serving employees. For those with 20 years service, there is, as I’ve said, the gold watch and a certificate of service.
For those whose service goes beyond 20 years, we have a special award.
As it has been a few years since the last time we recognised these levels of service, there are a few people who have qualified. I might add, that in future, we will not have a long time between recognition ceremonies. There are 38 people who will be recognised for 20 years service and 10 who actually have 30 years service or more. Between all of them, they have racked up nearly 1500 years of service to the people of Botany Bay – a remarkable achievement.
As Mayor, I am extremely proud of the long term commitment our employees make and I would suggest that our City’s record of service – the number of employees with 20 years service or more – would be equalled rarely in local government.
What I propose is that this year, we hold a dinner in August where the long serving employees and their partners attend, and where proper recognition can be given. I also propose that rather than have some years between recognition events, we resolve to hold a dinner each year, after the August meeting of Council, where those employees who have reached 20 years service in the previous year are, along with their partners, honoured. Council has now agreed to my proposals.
May 27, 2010
Proposal by Planning Minister to Return Modification Applications to Councils rejected
The Minister for Planning, on 18 May, 2010, hs proposed that: “… the Regional Panel Chairs delegate Regional Panel Applications in three circumstances where the Council has agreed that these applications will be determined by appropriate senior staff and not by the full Council or Council Committee, consistent with the theme of depoliticising the planning system.”
Council has rejected the proposal by the Minister comprehensively.
Unless development applications are simply routine consents, development applications of this nature need to be determined in full public scrutiny, in public forums by elected representatives whose decisions are transparent and in the presence of the press and public.
Do I need to remind the Minister that the Part 3A processes, which caused allegations, although unfounded, against Senior Department Planning Officials occur when development application processes occur in secret.
This theme of depoliticising the planning system misconceives the nature of the community’s role through its elected representatives in the planning process. It takes us back to the dark ages.
II will on council’s behalf write to the Minister and advise him that his offer be rejected. I will do so in a detailed way setting out explicitly why his proposal is contrary to the community and public interest, particularly in relation to the issue of transparency.
Council has rejected the proposal by the Minister comprehensively.
Unless development applications are simply routine consents, development applications of this nature need to be determined in full public scrutiny, in public forums by elected representatives whose decisions are transparent and in the presence of the press and public.
Do I need to remind the Minister that the Part 3A processes, which caused allegations, although unfounded, against Senior Department Planning Officials occur when development application processes occur in secret.
This theme of depoliticising the planning system misconceives the nature of the community’s role through its elected representatives in the planning process. It takes us back to the dark ages.
II will on council’s behalf write to the Minister and advise him that his offer be rejected. I will do so in a detailed way setting out explicitly why his proposal is contrary to the community and public interest, particularly in relation to the issue of transparency.
May 26, 2010
Community Debate
In the months ahead I want to see if we can get some community debate going over some of the issues that we, as a group of residents in our City, will face in the future. As a Councillor and the local Mayor, I want to hear from as many of our residents as possible – in a community conversation.
Sure, I get around the City every day, talking to people in shopping centres, in businesses, at our local schools and community centres and on the street when I’m walking around. I know people support Council for what we’re doing for the local natural environment, our green spaces, the way we demand that new developments harmonise with how existing streets look and the community services we provide.
But there’s always more we can do and I’ve never thought Council or Councillors know everything – we can always learn more when we talk and listen to our residents. That’s why I want to get some community debates going on a variety of issues. I’d like feedback (either direct or through the letters column of the Southern Courier) and we can start with the column item I’ve written below. Have a read and tell me what you think.
Sure, I get around the City every day, talking to people in shopping centres, in businesses, at our local schools and community centres and on the street when I’m walking around. I know people support Council for what we’re doing for the local natural environment, our green spaces, the way we demand that new developments harmonise with how existing streets look and the community services we provide.
But there’s always more we can do and I’ve never thought Council or Councillors know everything – we can always learn more when we talk and listen to our residents. That’s why I want to get some community debates going on a variety of issues. I’d like feedback (either direct or through the letters column of the Southern Courier) and we can start with the column item I’ve written below. Have a read and tell me what you think.
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