Opposition Leader visits
Echo 22 August 02
Opposition Leader visits
NSW Opposition Leader, Mr John Brogden will be visiting the Lismore electorate
today, speaking with farmers at a luncheon at the Northern Cooperative Meatworks
and meeting with local Cooperatives, attending a NOROC meeting before departing
to Ballina.
Sentencing for Rape
I completely endorse the actions of Judge Finnane in sentencing the recently
convicted serial gang rapist to 55 years (40 non-parole) in gaol. At last this
is a sentence appropriate to the crime and a strong precedent for other judges
to follow in the future. Sentencing justice is an issue that is not too far from
the surface and I sincerely hope that it will act as a powerful deterrent to
other would-be assailants.
Drought and visit by Shadow Minister
Shadow Minister for Agriculture visited on Tuesday to speak with local beef
producers regarding the drought and the problem of lack of any financial support
for six months after the drought declaration. Other issues that were raised
included Ticks and BJD policy. These discussions will assist the Mr Armstrong in
policy formation, which will be finalised very soon.
The NSW Government has announced the eligibility criteria for drought
assistance. The proportion of NSW in drought is now 82 per cent. Producers will
qualify after six months in drought for a 50 per cent subsidy on:
The transport of water for domestic purposes;
The transport of fodder to feed drought affected stock;
The transport of stock to slaughter;
The transport of water for drought affected stock;
The transport of stock to and from agistment.
The cap on this assistance is $20,000 per farm. This criteria will exclude many
desperate farmers across NSW, including some in the Upper Hunter. At this stage,
only those producers in the Electorate from the Coonabarabran Rural Lands
Protection Board will immediately qualify.
I have called on the Government to take into account individual farmers and
individual circumstances and the Coalition has called on the Carr Government to
consider lifting the six-month drought period. A drought information hotline has
been established and the number is 1800 814 647.
Pensioner Concession Fares
The NSW Government recently announced that from September 1, pensioners and
seniors will be able to travel unlimited distances within the CountryLink
network for the price of a $2.20 Pensioner Excursion Ticket. Currently, a
129-kilometre distance restriction applies.
However, passengers need to be mindful that:
A person cannot use the concession if part of their travel passes through the
City Rail network. The City Rail Network is bounded by Nowra in the South,
Bathurst in the West, Dungog in the North and Scone in the Hunter.
The maximum allowable booking time is seven days i.e. tickets can only be
purchased seven days in advance.
Furthermore, the tickets are subject to availability.
