Thankyou Mr Costa

I've just caught up on the episode of Stateline (ABC TV) recorded Friday 15th September (yes - the one which covered the ALP pre-selection for the state seat of Newcastle)

Of interest was the performance of the Minister for the Hunter, Michael Costa, in Budget Estimates. When asked about the benefits which come to the Hunter as a result of coal mining in the region, Mr Costa put on an amazing display - shouting insults and refusing to answer the question.

"Mr Costa's performance showed he is more interested in playing politics then working to promote the interests of people living in the region", said Greens MP Lee Rhiannon.

Those of us who live in the Hunter would prefer a Minister (and a Government) who took questions about this region and it's future seriously.

Thankyou, Mr Costa, for reminding us to send a clear message to the State Labour Government when we vote in March 2007.

The Hunter does not like to be taken for granted!

Climate Change Forums

Climate Change and our response to it is one of the major issues facing state and federal Governments in Australia.

Last Thursday night I attended a community forum "A Critical Look at Nuclear Fuel and Australia's Future Energy Needs" hosted by the Uniting Church.

There was a great turnout and it is very exciting to see environmentalists and church members working together on this critical issue.

Dr Mark Diesendorf, from the University of NSW, had some concrete proposals to produce energy from renewable sources and raised the following concerns about the possible use of nuclear energy
- nuclear facilities provide great targets for terrorists
- there is the potential for nuclear materials to be used in weapons
- the potential for catastrophic accidents
- the management of nuclear waste
- low-level radiation can produce cancers for up to 100 000 years into the future
- nuclear power generation will produce CO2 - it is not clean
- nuclear power is very expensive to produce

Dr Wayne Reynolds, from the Universtity of Newcastle, speculated that John Howard has opened the nuclear energy debate in Australia with an ulterior motive. Dr Reynolds presented a convincing case that Howard's support for a nuclear debate is linked with US nuclear policy.

Today I attended a forum on climate change hosted by Jill Hall member of the ALP and Federal member for Shortland and Bob Phillips of Newcastle Greens.

While it was encouraging to see the ALP and The Greens co-host such an important community event, the party's policy positions become irreconcilable when it comes to the issue of coal.

Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for Environment, spoke for 30 minutes on the topic of climate change without once mentioning COAL. When questioned on the ALP's position on coal, Mr Albanese admitted the ALP has no intention of phasing out coal or coal exports.

In fact, the ALP joins the government in it's chorus of 'Clean Coal' as the solution to the CO2 emissions produced by coal fired power stations. So, we are being asked to entrust this critical component of our future energy equation to an as yet unproved (and potentially very expensive) technology.

The only sensible alternative is to invest in renewable energy sources - bioenergy (using crop waste), wind power, solar power. The development of these industries will create jobs and economic growth well into the future - a future which we can only confidently bequeth to our children and grandchildren if we deal with the reality of climate change NOW.

I look forward to the National Day of Climate Change Action on November 4th - watch this space for details.

Announcement Day

Media Release went out today - good response from 2HD and 2NC, plus Lake Macquarie News.

2HD asked a good question - Why am I standing for State Parliament?

I am motivated by my desire for good and ethical government in NSW.

Greens in the NSW Upper House have consistently been that ethical voice in our state parliament.

Plus there was the challenge from Micheal Moore in his book Stupid White Men

"If you want to make a difference, stand for public office"

And I want to make a difference!

Jane

My Pic

Media Release (for tomorrow morning)

Local Greens announce candidate for Charlestown

Newcastle Greens today announced Jane Smith as The Greens candidate for the state seat of Charlestown for the 2007 state elections. “It is a great privilege to be chosen by my local colleagues as The Greens candidate for Charlestown,” Ms Smith said.

Ms Smith is a mother of two and a secondary school teacher currently teaching pre-vocational studies at TAFE. “Charlestown residents deserve to feel confident that the future of their area and the region is being well planned both locally and at a state level, and that Sydney-based decisions which show little understanding or care for the needs and views of local communities are not imposed on them,” said Ms Smith.

”At the last state election Charlestown voters came within a whisker of being subjected to the very same treatment by the ALP as Newcastle has suffered this time round when Sussex St powerbrokers tried to force a Sydney-selected celebrity candidate on the local community.

“Since then, we’ve seen a whole range of local policy issues such as public transport and public assets threatened by this kind of Sydney-based decision-making. For example, an integrated approach to public transport throughout Charlestown and across the lower Hunter is widely recognised in the community as a priority. Yet, despite seemingly endless policy announcements and research reports, the Sydney-centric Labor state government has failed to provide concrete solutions to this essential service need in the Charlestown electorate,” said Ms Smith.

“Development can bring great benefits to the Charlestown electorate and to the region, but needs to be managed to ensure public spaces are protected for the use of local communities. For example, State government moves to sell off public assets such as the Dudley Old Men’s Home are made without listening to the local community and ensuring public space is preserved.

“I’ll be campaigning on these kinds of local issues, to ensure local views are properly represented, as well as big picture issues that affect all Australians, such as public education, health, industrial relations and climate change,” concluded Ms Smith.

Candidate Profile

Jane Smith
Greens Candidate for Charlestown
NSW State Election 2007

Jane Smith was born in Singleton in 1965 and has been a Newcastle resident since 1983. Jane studied mathematics, history and education at Newcastle University and worked as a secondary school teacher in the local area for 12 years.

Jane was an active member of the youth group movement in the Uniting Church in the Hunter (the UYF), and during 1987-88 participated in the About FACE program, a faith and culture exchange with aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land.

Jane is married and has two children aged 6 and 8. Since becoming a parent Jane has worked in a variety of community based organizations which reflect her passion for social justice and fit in with her commitment to her family. Jane’s positions have included:
-tutor in the homework centre at the Multicultural Neighbourhood Centre
-campaign worker for the Fair Wear Campaign (working for fair pay and conditions for outworkers in the Australian clothing industry)
-family worker at Merewether Uniting Church (supporting parents of young children through playgroups which used the church facilities)

Jane’s time is now divided between paid employment, parenting responsibilities and community involvement. Her current commitments include:
-teaching part-time in pre-vocational studies at TAFE
-working in literacy groups and extension activities at Hamilton Public School
-a regular shift on the school canteen roster
-active involvement in the school P&C
-managing the after school activities of two young daughters
-involvement in Newcastle Green’s local group meetings and working groups

Jane spent the past two and a half years serving on the Board of Management for the Hunter Region Working Women’s Group, most recently as Chairperson.