“BIT BY BIT, the Liberal National Government is … selling off New South Wales.” So says Clayton Barr, Shadow Minister for Finance, Services and Property. Barr is talking about the latest Berejiklian plan to sell off Service NSW – you know, the place you go to get your drivers’ licence, organise
NSW Capital Watch
NSW ALP state conference – preview of coming attractions
Policy statements that reflect to all levels of government Industrial relations, TAFE and education, privatisation, equality and amalgamation pledges The last weekend in July saw the annual New South Wales ALP state conference held at its spiritual home in the Sydney Town Hall. Around a thousand delegates and observers from around the state
Diplomatic offensive for animals
From NSW Upper House to China: Mark Pearson gets the evidence and changes minds The Bulletin’s Maria Taylor recently caught up with Mark Pearson, the first NSW Legislative Council representative for the Animal Justice Party (AJP), a significant milestone for the party. The AJP in NSW now has 3000 members and
December Capital Watch with Steve Whan
Health funding impacts and privatisation I attended not so long ago the annual public meeting for our local region health service. There weren’t a lot of members of the public there but it was interesting. One fact in particular caught my attention. Over the preceding year the area had experienced a
November Capital Watch with Steve Whan
Capital Watch: Regional joint council orgs, Kings Highway funding and the EDE
with Steve Whan Regional joint council organisations: what does not make sense here? I agree with Palerang Mayor Harrison’s opposition to a proposal from the NSW Government that councils in the region be split into two regional council organisations that exclude the ACT. Council ‘Joint Organisations’ are proposed to “give regional councils a
Capital Watch: Local community mental health services at risk
With Steve Whan This month HOME in Queanbeyan had its annual movie fundraiser. It’s a big night and it’s very important because HOME in Queanbeyan does its fabulous work for people with mental illness without a cent of government funding. It is wonderful that we have people in our community who care
Losing community links for social services, your thoughts?
By Steve Whan IT'S TIME FOR a rethink about the way government contracts out social services in country communities. Over the last two decades many social and community services have been contracted out to non-government not-for-profit groups for delivery. These services include dementia packages, homeless services through to early intervention programs for
The challenge for Monaro, plus new ministerial lineup post O’Farrell
Capital Watch with Steve Whan The challenge for Monaro, plus new ministerial lineup post O’Farrell – planning, local government and resource management change hands How often are we reminded of the old adage ‘a week is a long time in politics’? Last month I thought I’d pick a quiet day to announce that
Capital Watch with Steve Whan
Another ‘blink and you missed it’ move: dismantling native vegetation laws (will affect local environment plans) It is traditional, Nationals Members of Parliament can always find someone to blame. Now that he doesn’t have a Federal labor government to blame, it seems Mr Barilaro has decided that everything’s my fault. One of