Shadow Minister Visit
Echo 21 August 2003
Shadow Minister Visit
The Hon John Ryan MLC, Shadow Minister for Community Services, Ageing &
Disability Services & Youth visited the electorate last week to meet with a
number of organisations which assist disabled people in the community, including
Lismore Challenge, Interchange Respite Care and On-Focus. Mr Ryan also had the
opportunity to visit Amber Foy in Casino.
ROPS Scheme Extended
Due to the success of the Roll Over Protection Scheme (ROPS) the rebate has been
extended until 31 December 2003. Farmers are reminded that all tractors that
weigh between 560kg and 15,000kg are required by law to have ROPS fitted. Within
the first year of launching the ROPS rebate in August 2000, there was a 29% drop
in serious tractor-related trauma incidents from the preceding nine-year
average. Applications forms are available from my office or the WorkCover
website www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.
Electorate Support Groups
Over the past couple of weeks I have had the pleasure of attending meetings
relating to various support groups in the electorate. These include the Cross
Roads Ministries support group for grandparents who are full-time carers for
their grandchildren together with PASS Inc (Parents of Autistic Spectrum
Support). Both of these organisations greatly assist people in the area by way
of friendship, fellowship and emotional support. Further contact details of
these groups are available from my office.
Local Seniors Card Directory
I have recently contacted all Lismore Electorate businesses to advise them of
the NSW Seniors Card Scheme, seeking their interest in participating and
becoming a partner in this Scheme. All partners are listed in a directory
produced by my office, which is circulated to more than 3,000 seniors. As my
office is currently in the process of updating this publication, I have written
to all existing partners advising of their directory listing and details,
requesting their feedback of alterations or changes. This process is nearing
completion and your communication with my office in this regard would be greatly
appreciated. Furthermore, I wish to advise that any person aged 60 years or
more, not engaged in more than 20 hours per week employment, is eligible to
apply for a Seniors Card. Application forms and further information is available
from my office.
Alcohol Summit Regional Visit
As a prelude to the Alcohol summit, for which submissions are still being
accepted at my office, I had the pleasure of hosting a visit by Minister John
Della Bosca, Mr Steve Cansdell, Mrs Kerry Chikarovski and Mrs Marianne Saliba.
Together we visited the Riverlands Drug and Alcohol Centre and were briefed on
the following programs; Reduce Risk Increase Student Knowledge (RRISK) program,
Drinksafe Program; Alcohol Education in Licensed Premises, Magistrates Early
Referral into Treatment Program for Alcohol (MERIT-Alcohol), as well as an
overview of domestic violence programs in the electorate. The group proceeded to
visit the "Rekindling the Spirit" aboriginal program and was given a
comprehensive presentation. The group separated with some members going to
Namatjira Haven, whilst the others visited the Buttery. The members were very
impressed with all the programs and the professional manner in which the
sessions were conducted.
ABC Program Axing
As Federal Parliament was sitting last week, I accepted a number of letters on
behalf of Ian Causley, Member for Page. These letters were protesting the axing
of the ABC "Behind the News" program and were received from student, Tamika Boyd
and Principal, Steve Boyd, representing Coffee Camp School
