Health Delegation to Sydney

Health Delegation to Sydney

Last week a delegation consisting of Don Page, together Clr John Hampton representing Lismore City Council, Dr Rob Simon and Dr William James of Medical Council, Marshall Fittler and Marilyn Perkins as Community representatives and myself met with the Minister for Health, The Hon John Hatzistergos. I believe this delegation received a good hearing from the Minister on the following three issues: shortfall in Resource Distribution Funding, Anaesthetists' situation and Stage 3 of the Lismore Base Hospital redevelopment. The Minister received our briefing on these issues and presented put forward a very strong case for him to consider, particularly bringing forward the redevelopment. The Minister was also presented with petitions representing 19,000 community signatures, that was organised by Marshall Fittler.

New Headquarters for SES

Minister for Emergency Services, Tony Kelly recently visited the Lismore Electorate and announced new headquarters would be built for the Lismore at cost of up to $570,000. This will mean the SES headquarters will no longer have to be one of the first buildings evacuated during major flooding of the Lismore City Centre. The new facilities will provide the local SES volunteers with modern and safe training and operation conditions, particularly during a flooding emergency. Minister Kelly made the announcement while handling over a $15,000 subsidy to assist with the cost of an Isuzu crew cabin emergency response vehicle for the SES unit and a $2,000 grant for a DVD/TV unit to assist with members' training.

Pollies for Small Business

As part of the Pollies for Small Business program, I had the opportunity to visit three local businesses; Hurfords (Lismore), Brown & Hurley (Kyogle) and Barker Street Newsagency (Casino). I benefited from the chance to work alongside some of my Small Business owners to refamiliarise myself with today's pressures faced by small business operators in the region. I also enjoy the opportunity of showing my support for this vital sector of our local economy. Politicians often deal with the `big picture' when it comes to regulations and legislation so working in a small business for the day can help them gain some valuable insights. This exercise was an opportunity to get an `up close and personal' view of the positives and negatives involved in running a small business. Even though I have run my own business, the reality is the pressures on small operators are constantly changing, especially in State border areas where small businesses in NSW are at a disadvantage to their Queensland counterparts with fuel prices, payroll tax and workers compensation.

My Journey Kit - Breast Cancer

This kit is available to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, free of charge and is an important resource that has been developed by women who have had breast cancer. The kit has been endorsed by the Rural Australasian College of Surgeons as well as other key medical organisations in Australian. The Breast Cancer Network Australian aims to send the kit to every woman diagnosed with breast cancer within 2 weeks of her diagnosis or to receive simply call 1300 7785 562 or contact my office.

National Meals of Wheels Day

I had the pleasure of being involved in National Meals on Wheels Building Stronger Communities Day last week, during which I joined with Casino Meals on Wheels volunteers to help deliver meals to residents. This special occasion recognises the contribution this organisation makes to its community. In Australia 78,750 volunteers deliver more than 14 million nutritious meals annually. Meals on Wheels are available to frail aged people with a disability, and their carers; it is not means tested. NSW Meals on Wheels Association Inc has provided access to affordable insurance for the Not-for-Profit (NFP) Sector continuously for over 15 years. As the longest continuously running program for NFP's in Australia run and owned by the Sector, which boasts that all of their member participants have had 100% payment of all legitimate claims irrespective of who the end insurer was. In response to increased demands, the program was renamed "CRISP" Community Related Insurance and Superannuation Program and was extended nationally meaning it is now available to any NFP organisation. Brochures have been supplied to my office and designed to make community insurance easier to understand and give those people involved with the NFP sector an overview of the range of insurance available. CRISP hotline is 1300 652 556.

Police Fees for Country Shows and Events Unfair

Recent revelations that the NSW Labor Government had waived police fees for a conference of wealthy business leaders in Sydney while country show societies and organisers of country community events were forced to pay was unfair. Labor had one set of rules for Sydney and another for country NSW. While struggling country show societies and convenors of country community events are forced to pay massive fees for police under Labor's users pays system, a gathering of the world's richest businessmen at the Sydney Opera House at the end of this month will pay zilch. This again shows the Carr Government and Mr Iemma's contempt for rural and regional NSW. Labor's policing fees were threatening the future of country and coastal shows and important community events. Costs of up to $15,000 are being demanded and it's forcing some events to be cancelled and others to be held less frequently. Instead of putting up costly hurdles to the staging of country shows and community events, Labor should be fostering and encouraging the community spirit these events create. If Premier Iemma can waive policing fees for a conference of business leaders in Sydney then he can stop slugging country show societies and organisers of community events in country NSW too.

Country Energy New Apprentices and Trainees

Country Energy is recruiting another 75 new apprentices and trainees to work in 56 communities across NSW. There have been advertisements offering three apprenticeships in our area, with two in Lismore and one in Bonalbo. Although these positions have closed, those interested can check their website which outlines future positions being advertised www.countryenergy.com.au.

Electorate Functions;

Red Cross Zone 27 Conference - I recently had the honour of officially opening the Zone 27 Conference of the Australian Red Cross. The focus of the conference was "Youth in our community".

Deaf Society ªPoD - Following my attendance of the inaugural meeting in April of the Deaf Society, I was honoured last week to join members and officially launch the new Support Group, Parents of Deaf (PoD) Children. This support group offers support to families of deaf children. PoD meet bi-monthly on the last Friday of the month at 6.30 pm at Summerland Early Intervention, Rifle

Quayside Dealership Opening - Congratulations to owners Mark & Tracey Crampton, Dealer Principal Damien Doyle and their team at Quayside Motors. The investment and confidence they have placed in Lismore is a credit to the Quayside group, which was further endorsed by Federal Minister for Industry Tourism and Resources Ian Macfarlane and Peter Brock.

Doubtful Creek Flag Raising Ceremony - It was my pleasure to join Doubtful Creek Primary School community during an inspection and to participate in its flag raising ceremony recently.

Casino High School Yr 11 Geography - I enjoyed the opportunity of speaking with these students who were examining roads, the importance of the Northern Cooperative Meat Company to Casino, and other Council issues.

Uniting Church Casino - I was pleased to attend and share with members of the Church Council of the Uniting Church of Casino as they commissioned Pastor Peter Boughey who was made Minister of their Casino community.