Business Forum on Crime

NSW Parliament resumed last week with the opening officiated by Governor, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir.

Business Forum on Crime

A forum organised by the Police Crime Prevention Officer is being run for all business owners and proprietors, on Tuesday 12 March 2002 at the Lismore Workers Club at 5.30/6 until 7.30 pm. Issues that will be discussed are fraud, shoplifting, intelligence flow to Police and you and the law.

Public Liability

The Federal Secretariat of the National Party of Australia has established a public liability insurance taskforce to develop policy to tackle the public liability insurance crisis. The taskforce met recently to begin formulation of a coordinated approach across the country. The National Party believes that it is essential to develop measures to protect those in our communities who are the backbone of rural, regional and remote Australia.

Small Towns Grants

Applications for grants from the Town Life Development Funding Program are open for 2002. Towns and villages with populations under 2500 are eligible to apply. Eligible organisations are Shire Councils, Economic Development Committees, Chambers of Commerce etc. are being invited to apply via the NSW Department of Regional Development and the information is available through my office. The best applications are those that concentrate on economic development and jobs, perhaps through tourism or other commercial development. Closing Date is April 2002.

Main Street Grants

For towns with populations over 2500 the NSW Department of Regional Development's Main Street Program might be more appropriate. Application forms can be obtained from the Department of Regional Development or through the Electorate Office.

2002 Rural Health Scholarships

Rural Allied Health Scholarships were announced recently for students, with a rural background, studying allied health subjects at University. Up to 40 scholarships, each valued at $5,750 will be available this year. Application forms and guidelines can be obtained from www.health.nsw.gov.au/policy/ssdb/rural/allied_health or from my office.

Nimbin Skatepark allocation

I was pleased to be advised of the recent announcement by The Hon Morris Iemma, Minister for Sport and Recreation of the $8,500 allocated to this project under the Capital Assistance Program.

School Student Transport Scheme

I am pleased to advise that the NSW Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee released its final report into the review of the School Student Transport Scheme. The report is available on the web at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au or upon request from my office.

Parliament on the Internet

Proceedings of the NSW Parliament in session will now be live on the Internet. The programme for the day is also published on the Internet. The Parliament is accessible via the Internet site www.parliament.nsw.gov.au and then click on the "Live Webcast" box. One of the greatest misconceptions is that Parliament is like Question Time all the time. The reality is that the high-pressure political content of Question Time is replaced by the passage of legislation, urgency business and Matters of Public Importance. Last week's Opening of Parliament, which featured a speech by the Governor on the Government's forthcoming programme, will be followed by debate in the Chamber as each MP presents an Address in Reply to the Governor's speech.

2002 Premier's Gala Concert

For the notice of seniors in my electorate who may be interested in travelling to Sydney during Senior Citizens Week celebrations this year, I have tickets available for the 11 am session on Wednesday 20 March 2002. Please contact my office before Tuesday 12 March 2002 to secure tickets.