Media Releases, May 2009
For previous releases, click here
GO RED – Spread the Word - Cardiovascular Disease is the leading cause of death for Women in Australia but there is help – GO RED
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Local MP, Peter Draper, will Go Red when he joins parliamentary colleagues and the Heart Foundation, on Thursday 4 June, in supporting the fight against cardiovascular disease – heart, stroke and blood vessel disease.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of Australian women, killing more women each year than any other disease. Unfortunately, too few understand this grim fact,” Mr Draper said.
“On average, heart disease kills 31 Australian women per day, and more than 11,000 women die each year from heart disease,” he said.
“It is a sobering thought that Australian women are four times more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer,” he continued.
Mr Draper said the Heart Foundation had recently launched the Go Red for Women campaign to help them understand their risk of heart disease and the positive steps they can make to improve their heart health.
“The responsible Ministers, Verity Firth and Jodi McKay, have invited all Members of the NSW Parliament to join them and the Heart Foundation on June 4 to help focus attention on the good news that heart disease is largely preventable and the risk can be greatly reduced by leading a healthy lifestyle,”
“The real concern is that if women are not aware of their risk, they are less likely to pay attention to prevention messages, or seek medical advice if they develop signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease,” he said.
“It is vital the message gets out to women that risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood cholesterol, physical inactivity, diabetes, high blood pressure, being overweight, depression, social isolation and lack of social support.”
“These are serious factors for all women, and I have a particular concern that women in rural and regional communities may be at higher risk through social isolation and lack of social support, while I know that the long running drought conditions have resulted in many cases of depression amongst farming women.”
“It has recently been shown that people who experience depression, are socially isolated or do not have quality social support are at greater risk of developing coronary heart disease,” he continued.
Mr Draper pointed out that depression can be treated effectively, and he urged women who suspect they may be suffering depression to contact their doctor or specialized health professionals.
“The best way to reduce the risk of developing heart disease, and to help prevent it getting worse if it already exists, is to improve or remove the risk factors over which you have some control,” Mr Draper said.
He highlighted a new Heart Foundation publication – Healthy Living Women and Heart Disease – which provides important information, tips and contacts and is now available from the Tamworth Electorate Office at 13 Fitzroy St Tamworth or by phoning 6766 1422.
“I urge women to visit their doctor for ongoing heart disease risk assessments and to follow their medical advice. Other information on preventative measures is available from www.heartfoundation.org.au or by calling the Heart Foundation on 1300 36 27 87,” he continued.
“Let’s all Go Red for Women, get the risks of this silent killer out to the community and help the save lives of those we love and care for – GO RED,” Mr Draper concluded.
Photo: State MP Peter Draper is supporting the Heart Foundation's Go Red for Women campaign and has copies of the new publication Healthy Living Women and Heart Disease available at the electorate office 13 Fitzroy Street Tamworth or by phoning 6766 1422.
Premier’s support for Minister Macdonald’s dual roles ignores public concern, as battle for farmlands is set to escalate
Friday, May 29, 2009
State MP, Peter Draper, has expressed disappointment that Premier Nathan Rees has again dismissed calls for the roles of Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Mineral Resources to be held by separate Ministers.
In August 2008, Mr Draper first called for the portfolios to be separated, saying at the time: “A number of landholders have indicated to me they lack confidence in a process where one minister is juggling the interests of both farmers and miners. I believe this State needs a stand alone Minister for Primary Industries, who along with the Ministers for Water and Environment can act as devil’s advocate in cabinet on important issues like this.”
“The latest call for the separation of these portfolios has come from the Shenhua Watermark Community Consultative Committee because they are worried Minister Macdonald's oversight of both mining and agricultural activities could present a problem in resolving issues between miners and farmers.”
“I can clearly understand why large sections of the local community believe mining companies will always be advantaged given the donations they make to the major political parties, plus the multi-millions of dollars that flow to State Government coffers from exploration leases and coal royalties,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said that following a recent decision in the Mining Warden’s Court that overrode the concerns of Caroona Basin farmers, Minister Macdonald had indicated he hoped the ongoing dispute between the farmers and BHP Billiton could be resolved equitably, however he then said that ‘the law is the law,’ arguing; “that’s been the framework in this country for maybe two hundred years and there is no proposal to change it.”
“If Mr Macdonald was speaking in his role as Minister for Mineral Resources when making that comment, I can understand the frustration of farmers who question why they cannot rely on a Minister for Primary Industries to ask whether after 200 years the whole system is due for review, and whether a better mechanism is needed to protect prime agricultural land and our precious water resources.”
“There is concern that a conflict exists between the portfolios of Mineral Resources, Energy and State Development, against the need for a Primary Industries Minister to stand up and protect farming interests. Minister Macdonald followed his ‘the law is the law’ announcement by saying: ‘if these projects were to go ahead you would have the potential of up to three or four thousand directly employed and of course under a multiplier effect would be significantly higher than that, now that’s a massive boost to this region’.”
“I can understand the Premier saying Minister Macdonald is doing a good job in his first three roles, but he is ignoring strong concerns from the local community about the various responsibilities preventing the Minister for Primary Industries from going in to bat for farming interests,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said the decision of the Mining Wardens Court had galvanized the Liverpool Plains community in their belief that the environment is a clear loser in the current process.
“I think there will be an escalation of community opposition in coming weeks. The Caroona Coal Action Group have led opposition to mining development on prime agricultural land, and now the Shenhua Watermark Community Consultative Committee have also added their concerns, so I believe an even more united campaign will develop on the Liverpool Plains,” he said.
“Minister Macdonald needs to put on his hat as Minister for Primary Industries and respond quickly to the Allan Committee recommendations that were sent to him about four weeks ago,” he said.
Former NSW Environment Minister, Pam Allan, was appointed as facilitator for a water study of the Liverpool Plains in October 2008.
“It was a tough road to reach consensus and develop the recommendations, however that has been achieved, so a response is now urgently required,” Mr Draper said.
“The Caroona Coal Action Group’s Tim Duddy told me there was give and take in all the negotiations. Mr Duddy believes the response has delivered a model for a three dimensional spatial study that will clearly identify the relationship between coal mining and water resources.”
“This is the process that is needed urgently so it can fully consider the many community concerns that have been raised,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said at the same time he would watch with interest the progress of the Mining Amendment (Safeguarding Agricultural Land and Water) Bill 2009 recently introduced into the Legislative Council by Green’s MLC, Lee Rhiannon.
“The object of this Bill is to amend the Mining Act 1992 to protect prime agricultural land, and the water sources that feed prime agricultural land, from mining operations.”
“Basically it would place restrictions on granting permission to mine prime agricultural land plus prevent mining on land that is within one kilometre of a river or aquifer,” he continued.
Mr Draper is calling on the Coalition to support this legislation through the Legislative Council.
“The Coalition and cross benches have the numbers to get this proposal through the Upper House and allow it to progress to the Legislative Assembly for debate. It is likely the Government will use its majority in the Lower House to defeat the Bill, however I urge Country Labor representatives to stand up for our prime agricultural lands, the farming sector and environment,” he said.
“I understand the Liverpool Plains Community plan to take several busloads of concerned community members to Sydney for the Upper House debate next Thursday, and I am sure they will be watching with great interest to see the Coalition’s position on the issue. Similarly, I am sure they are eagerly awaiting the Government’s response to the Allan Committee recommendations,” he continued.
“Farming communities are rightly concerned that political donations from mining companies have made all of the major political parties too compliant to the mining industry’s wishes. Environmental issues and the introduction of emissions trading schemes will see the role of coal diminish in coming years, while the need for fresh produce will increase to meet the demands of a growing world population. Our finest farming lands must be protected to meet this need into the future.”
“I hope Minister Macdonald will release his response to the Allan report quickly. I also hope the Opposition can see past their list of political donors to allow debate on this important issue to take place in both Houses of the NSW Parliament,” Mr Draper concluded.
Desperate and greedy grab for Rent on Special Leases a Real Risk to viability of Local Sporting Organisations
Friday, May 29, 2009
Independent State Member for the Electorate of Tamworth, Peter Draper, said that a number of local sporting organisations are facing severe financial pressure following massive rent increases, as their facilities are on Government owned land. Mr Draper has made representations to NSW Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly, in an attempt to preserve the viability of these groups.
Mr Draper said both Tamworth City Bowling Club (TCBC) and Barraba Golf Club faced inappropriately high increases that would severely impact upon their ability to maintain their existing levels of service, and put jobs at risk.
“This land is owned by the people of NSW, and the Government’s proposed savage increases is an affront to the many community members from these organisations who benefit from important social and recreational services. If prices rise to that extent, it will result in outcomes that are not in the broader community’s best interests,” he said.
Mr Draper said Tamworth City Bowling Club (TCBC) had had their rent determination increase from $2,625 in 2005, to $30,000 in their latest assessment.
“Even allowing for a special rebate of $15,000, this increase to TCBC still exceeds 470%, which is just exorbitant. The club also faces hefty land and water rates payable to the council that are also rising, so small operations like TCBC will face an even tougher struggle to survive, and may need to shed jobs just to remain viable,” he said.
“TCBC’s secretary/manager Greg Harris told me the proposed rental increase is equivalent to the salary of two casual staff or one full time staff member. Given the current employment prospects due to the world economic crisis, it would be disastrous to see a rent increase threaten any local jobs,” he continued.
Mr Draper said that Barraba Golf Club Honorary Secretary, David York, had told him their proposed rent increase from $641 to $2,500+CPI in 2011, would make it almost impossible for the club to continue providing this much valued community recreational facility into the future.
“Golf was first played in Barraba as far back as 1899. The current 18 hole course was designed in 1957 by Arthur East, and over the ensuing years many improvements have been carried out with the planting of over 700 trees, automatic watering to surrounds of greens, tees and some fairways and the elevation of greens.”
“Only two weeks ago, Barraba Golf Club received $4267 through a NSW Sport and Recreation Capital Assistance grant, and now this week they have been advised by the Lands Department that they will have to pay a further $1900 in rent each year, so the Government will claw back its grant in a mere 2 and ½ years. The club, which operates solely on volunteer labour, gets help from one Government Department, while another one is forcing them into a totally unviable situation. That is ridiculous!” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said that the club has no paid employees and no poker machines, so they rely on bar takings, membership and green fees, plus occasional functions to keep the club operating thus enabling community members to play golf locally.
“It is critical that the Government relents on this cash grab and negotiates an alternative arrangement before the club’s rent is due in February 2010, or Barraba faces losing a vital piece of sporting and social infrastructure that provides opportunities for local students, pensioners and other community members.”
“This State Government, desperate to replenish their depleted coffers, must think again and realize that putting vital community sporting and recreational facilities at risk is not an option,” Mr Draper concluded.
New Dragon’s Teeth for Electorate of Tamworth’s Schools
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Independent MP Peter Draper today welcomed a decision by the State Government to install "dragon’s teeth" at the entrance to every school zone across NSW. He said that the $14 million initiative will be rolled out over the next two and a half years, and should be welcomed by parents, children and motorists across the district.
“This is excellent news for all of our local schools, because nothing is more important than providing the safest possible environment for our children,” Mr Draper said.
“The vast majority of motorists do the right thing, but having recently attended a local public primary school to view a school zone in action, it is clear to me that some drivers can’t always see the signs, while some of the existing road signage sends confusing messages to people passing through these operating school zones,” he said.
“Dragon’s teeth are an innovative way to keep our kids safe, as they help to remind motorists to keep their vehicle under the 40kmh speed limit during school zone hours.”
“This new initiative will be in addition to the comprehensive school zone road safety program already in place, which includes marked foot crossings, traffic lights and pedestrian refuges, plus the $46.5 million flashing light program,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said Minister for Roads Michael Daley had advised him that the dragon’s teeth program would see triangular markings painted on each side of the road lane for 35 metres at the start of each school zone.
“This new triangular line-marking is recognised internationally, and is a proven way of making sure motorists know when they are driving through a 40kmh school zone. Combined with roadside signs and pavement speed limit markings, motorists will have absolutely no doubt when they are travelling past a NSW school,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper also said the Government aimed to have markings installed in every school zone by the end of 2011, and that he would work to have all of the schools in the Electorate of Tamworth area included in the schedule to receive this new line marking as soon as possible.
“Children can be unpredictable, so it is important every possible measure is taken to ensure that they are safe when crossing roads around our local schools,” Mr Draper concluded.
Time Bomb of Funding for Local Government is Still Ticking Away
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
“Separate from the world financial crisis, Local Government across NSW finds itself in a financial black hole that will implode unless both Federal and State Governments act urgently to address this situation,” according to Independent State MP, Peter Draper.
“The 2009 Review of NSW Local Government Financial Sustainability again highlights the precarious position of Local Government in NSW, however their financial plight is not a problem of their own making,” Mr Draper said.
“Our communities rely on Local Government to provide many essential services, but unless Federal and State authorities provide adequate funding, Councils will struggle to maintain service provision into the future,” he said.
Mr Draper said that most people were surprised to learn that Local Government accounts for only five per cent of government in Australia, and were alarmed that its own revenue source is an even smaller percentage.
“Sadly, Local Government is trying to meet the needs of their communities on the smell of an oily rag.”
“Local Government only ends up with about three per cent of tax revenue, but it needs between five and six per cent to operate properly to meet community expectations,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper pointed out that the 2009 Review of NSW Local Government Financial Sustainability had found Gunnedah and Narrabri Shire Council’s financial positions were sustainable into the future, Tamworth Regional Council was in a vulnerable situation, while the Liverpool Plains Shire Council was in an unsustainable position.
“These findings don’t mean that vulnerable or unsustainable councils are insolvent, but what they do indicate is that these councils don’t have sufficient income to overcome their financial and infrastructure imbalances without massive rate increases, or increased grant allocations from the other two tiers of government,” he said.
Mr Draper said the 2009 Review indicated that ratepayers would face significant rises unless Federal and State authorities came to the party by saying: ‘Assuming price inflation averages 3% per annum, councils that are not sustainable would have to hike their rates, fees and charges by at least 6% a year for each of the next ten years to get their finances and infrastructure in order. That amounts to 80% or more over the period. The least sustainable council will need to increase its imposts by 300% to achieve sustainability’.
“It is unfortunate that Local Government were not given a guaranteed percentage of GST revenue when it was introduced because it is most unlikely the Senate would support the necessary changes to provide that certainty. If it is impossible to change the GST allocations, the Commonwealth should assist with increased grants, perhaps tied to some growth mechanism that guarantees a fixed share of revenue into the future,” he said.
“At the same time, the State Government could help Local Government by taking responsibility for funding regional roads, thus relieving them of a burden that many can no longer afford,” he continued.
“In 2006, the Independent Inquiry into the Financial Sustainability of Local Government in NSW (Local Government Inquiry) was undertaken by a panel chaired by Professor Percy Allan. It clearly highlighted the precarious financial situation Local Government was in, and made recommendations to turn around this increasingly unsustainable position. The time bomb is still ticking, so Federal and State Government must stop dragging their feet and address this issue of vital concern to all communities,” Mr Draper concluded.
Hypocrisy Displayed Over Upcoming Electricity Price Rises Is An Insult To The People of NSW
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
According to Independent State MP Peter Draper, any genuine opposition to electricity price rises is welcome, but the feigned indignation on display from both Government and Opposition MPs is mere trickery, and a cruel hoax on the people of NSW.
“The NSW Government has accepted Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) recommendations that electricity prices in New South Wales should rise by an average of 20 per cent from July 1 this year,” he said.
“The Government makes out they are concerned at the effect these price rises will have on families and disadvantaged sectors of the community, with the Minister for Energy, Ian Macdonald, writing to IPART stating: the Government is conscious of the impact a significant increase in electricity prices would have on both household and business customers,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said the Minister’s submission also said: “The Government seeks IPART’s strongest assurances that the increases to regulated retail tariffs proposed in the Draft Report are no more than are required to ensure the ongoing financial viability of the competitive NSW electricity businesses and fulfil their requirement for cost reflective regulated retail tariffs by 30 June 2010, consistent with the Terms of Reference issued to IPART.”
“The Minister is having a dollar each way on this one, but families and the disadvantaged are going to be slugged immediately, with further substantial price rises to come in the future,” Mr Draper said.
“There are some in the community who have suggested the current steep price hikes are designed to make Energy Australia, Integral Energy and Country Energy more attractive for the Government to sell off these publicly owned assets. As the Opposition only opposed privatisation last time around to politically embarrass the Government, it seems all the major political groups are completely ignoring the communities desire to retain these assets in public hands,” he said.
Mr Draper said the Opposition’s public indignation at the price rises was not matched by their actions.
“I can find nothing on the public record where either the Liberals or the Nationals have taken any concrete steps to oppose these price rises,” he said.
“Neither Party, nor any of their elected MP’s, appear to have provided a single submission to IPART opposing the proposed price hikes, so I can only assume they basically support the increases but are playing a cynical media game to convince the wider community they are outraged by the price hikes,” Mr Draper continued.
Mr Draper said he thought most people would grudgingly accept a CPI indexed price rise, and he realized sufficient income must be generated to invest in infrastructure. However, he expressed disappointment that the Government had siphoned off millions of dollars from electricity dividends, yet was now asking the community to pay more because they failed to reinvest during good economic times.
“Both the Government and the Opposition expect NSW residents to increase the revenue stream available to them, but how can we trust either of them to actually invest that money and guarantee a reliable and affordable electricity supply to households and business?” Mr Draper concluded.
Click here for Peter's submission to IPART (pdf file, 148 kb).
Celebrating Education Week 2009
State MP, Peter Draper is urging members of the public to attend Education Week activities at their local school.
There are activities taking place at most schools over the coming week that celebrate the achievements of students in public education.
Mr Draper today attended the annual Principals & School Captains lunch, which was held at the Almond Inn in Tamworth.
Attending this event were Barraba Central School represented by Principal Gary Turner and Captains Akshay Chand and Clare Unwin. Year 12 Advisor - Gary Armstrong and Captains, Tom Hunt, Mitchell Swain and Nick Pearson, represented Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School. Other schools attending included Manilla Central School: Principal - Janette Meehan and Captains, Jessica Ride and Chad Smith, Tamworth High: Principal - Wayne Chaffey, Captains, Druscilla Watts and Michel Sheedy, Peel High: Principal - Bill Campbell, Captain - Keya Byrne with Kane Jackson unable to attend. Oxley High: Principal - Tim O'Brien and Captains, Kathryn Camm and Christopher O'Conner, Quirindi High: Principal - Meghanne Clarke and Captains, Erica-Jade Cornish and Shaun Bullock.
Unfortunately Gunnedah High was an apology as they were unable to attend the function.
This coming Thursday, Mr Draper will present awards at Peel High School’s NAIDOC week Assembly and also attend the Excellence in Education Awards 2009 being held at Tamworth High School, where awards will be presented to schools, teachers, students, support staff and community, who have achieved exemplary achievement and professional practices in the Public school system.
Photo: Mr Draper celebrates Education Week with the region’s school captains.
Wacca Williams Needs a Geography Lesson
Monday, May 25, 2009
Independent MP Peter Draper has dismissed the latest political rant by Senator John Williams as a desperate attempt to renew interest in his waning party. Mr Draper was responding to a media release from Senator Williams suggesting the region’s Independent MPs were somehow ‘missing’ on the Liverpool Plains.
He also said that the NSW Nationals Senator needed a geography lesson, as it was clear that Mr Williams was unaware the farms he toured around Caroona this week were actually in the electorate of Upper Hunter - not Tamworth.
"I agree with Senator Williams that George Souris has not stuck up for his farming community at Caroona, and suggest the Senator contacts his State colleague and tries to urge him into action," Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper also said that the Senator is mistaken if he thinks he will gain any credence for this latest rant, especially given the National’s lack of any meaningful support for embattled Caroona farmers in their fight to save valuable agricultural lands from coal exploration.
“The poor record of Senator Williams and his party on this issue is well documented, so his attempts to rewrite history and portray the National Party as somehow caring about the plight of these farmers shows a cynical disregard for the facts,” Mr Draper said.
“I have facilitated and attended many meetings with relevant Ministers on behalf of Caroona farmers. I have spoken on this issue in Parliament on a number of occasions, and have made every attempt to have the farmer’s call for a water study into the effects of long wall mining on underground aquifers become reality.”
“What have your mob done in State Parliament to protect the interests of these farmers? Nothing!” he said.
“I am also well aware of the many hours that Federal Independent MP Tony Windsor has spent trying to deliver a proper resolution to this issue that will protect the farmer’s rich agricultural lands, and I commend his efforts,” Mr Draper said.
“In July last year the State Nationals, more interested in looking after coal miners than family farms, accused the Caroona farmers of colluding with the Greens in what they described as a "political stunt" to protect their livelihoods. Ever since then you have been trying to repair the damage done to your party as a result of that lack of judgement on the issue.”
“Then in November 2008, the Nationals again chose miners over food producers when your party removed support for an amendment to the Murray Darling Water Bill that would have allowed for a water study to take place before mining exploration licences were granted.”
“That treacherous back down has come home to haunt the people of the Liverpool Plains through decisions in the Mining Warden’s Court this year,” Mr Draper continued.
“Once again the Nationals have turned an issue of huge importance to this local community into a parochial political football, and highlighted why the party continues to lose relevance to the people of rural and regional Australia!”
“I saw an article in a Dubbo newspaper the other day which in part said: ‘The Nationals inconsistency when it comes to effective opposition is what brings them down. Inconsistency and running rumours in Parliament take away from their credibility’,” Mr Draper said.
“Senator Williams, you can fool some of the people some of the time, but there are less and less out there who take you seriously, and your latest ridiculous assertions are unlikely to restore any confidence in you or your Party.”
“If you and your colleagues can’t achieve anything, at least try to tell the truth, and please stop thinking you have the credibility to have this sort of nonsense believed.”
“The Caroona landholders and the people of this region deserve much better, especially from a Party that used to be interested in representing farming interests,” Mr Draper concluded.
“Nine tenths of education is encouragement” – (Anatole France)
Visit Your Local School During Education Week
Friday, May 22, 2009
Local State MP, Peter Draper, is encouraging as many people as possible to visit their local school during Education Week 2009.
Education Week 2009 in NSW runs from Sunday 24 May to Sunday 31 May.
“Education Week celebrates the values, traditions and achievements of public education, while recognising the learning successes of all students,” Mr Draper said.
“The week also showcases the commitment of teachers, staff and parents to our public education system. It provides public schools across the district with an opportunity to put forward a wide range of local, community plus regional activities and events,” he said.
Mr Draper said the 2009 theme is ‘NSW Public Schools leading the way’, and this year’s Education Week has a special focus on the environment, with many schools proudly demonstrating their environmental initiatives and achievements.
“From the smallest one-teacher schools to our largest high schools, Education Week provides an opportunity for the community to celebrate the vital role that public schools play in providing the very best opportunities for our children, so I encourage all community members to be part of these events,” he said.
Mr Draper pointed out that Education Week 2009 also coincides with Reconciliation Week, and many schools are using this opportunity to hold reconciliation activities between 27 May and 3 June.
Mr Draper said he was very pleased that recent stimulus packages have seen millions of dollars provided to upgrade infrastructure at schools across our region.
“This will provide much-improved facilities for our highly dedicated teachers and their students.”
“Students, teachers and parent support groups are the fabric of the public education system, and together provide a dynamic environment to nurture the learning process.”
“I congratulate you all on making our schools a happy and healthy place for pupils to develop solid life skills that young people need to take their place in the wider world,” Mr Draper continued.
“I look forward to visiting a number of schools during Education Week and participating in their activities.”
“Our Public Schools are leading the way in providing opportunities for NSW students, and Education Week is our chance to celebrate the many achievements that our local schools have delivered,” he concluded.
Release of Tamworth Health Services Plan Welcome and Feedback Sought
Friday, May 22, 2009
State MP, Peter Draper, has welcomed the release of the Tamworth Health Services Plan as an important step in the planning and developing of new infrastructure to accommodate future health services for the people of the New England/Northwest.
Mr Draper said the Tamworth Health Services Plan was available to constituents on his web site at www.peterdraper.com.au and he hoped that many people would access the details and provide feedback.
“The Tamworth Health Services Plan 2008-12 is a detailed document, developed after extensive consultation with management and staff of Tamworth Health Service, service providers, other stakeholders, volunteer support organizations, the public and Peel Community Forum. The Plan will deliver integrated, accessible and quality health services for all residents of Tamworth, and the New England/North West,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said the next challenge is for the public and health professionals to digest the information the Health Services Plan presents, and for a robust community debate to follow that ensures the recommendations and outcomes that flow will deliver the best service for the community.
“Every doctor, nurse and local member wants more services for their local hospital. Realistically, I know that in the current economic climate every community cannot have everything it wants, however I have extracted a promise from the Premier for a major upgrade to Tamworth Hospital, and I am expecting to see evidence of progress in the upcoming State budget. A lot of work goes into these plans, and they are backed by population estimates, but it is probable that we won't get every item identified, so that is why public input regarding the Plan is essential if we are to gain the best possible outcomes for our region and its people,” he continued.
Mr Draper said the Tamworth Health Services Plan proposed an enhanced range of speciality services to bring them closer to where people live, including: community based services; plans for upgrading maternity services from level four to level five; an integrated cancer care centre, including radiotherapy services; cardiology; mental health services, and a proposal for a Rural Oral Health Centre.
“These are all areas that the local community have identified as requiring improved services. I encourage health professionals, volunteer support groups and the wider public to carefully consider the recommendations and I look forward to feedback from as many people as possible on the proposals,” he said.
Mr Draper said he was still concerned there was a small segment within the community, who saw the provision of enhanced health services as a political football to be kicked around in a game of parochial political expediency.
“I have advanced the Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment from a project due for completion in 2025 to one where the Health Services Plan is complete and I’m confident we’ll see movement on the Services Procurement and Project Definition Plans in the near future,” he said.
“For me, it is more important that these projects are done properly and the community must have confidence that the finished product won’t end up with major flaws, as seen in the Bathurst Hospital redevelopment.”
“I am more interested in knowing the planning is thorough and our hospital will be world class, rather than worrying about whether the first sod is turned in late 2010, by March 2011 or soon after. The residents of this district deserve a hospital that will meet the continually changing health needs of the many communities reliant on this facility for many years to come.”
“I urge those with an interest in this project to examine the Tamworth Health Services Plan and to provide me with constructive feedback. By working together we will get the best outcome for the community,” Mr Draper concluded.
Tamworth Health Services Plan 2008-2012
The first stage in the planning and development of new infrastructure to accommodate future health services is to complete a Health Services Plan.
The Tamworth Health Services Plan 2008-12 is a detailed document of 150 pages, developed following extensive consultation with management and staff of Tamworth Health Service, associated service providers, external stakeholders, volunteer support organisations, the public and Peel Community Forum.
The purpose of the Plan is to ensure the delivery of integrated, accessible and quality health services for all people living in the Tamworth area and the New England/North West.
The real challenge ahead is for the public and health professionals to digest the information the Plan presents, and for a robust community debate to ensue that the recommendations and outcomes that will flow will deliver the best service for the community.
A copy of the plan can be downloaded here.
"I welcome comments to tamworth@parliament.nsw.gov.au," said State MP for Tamworth Peter Draper.
Problems with obtaining Drivers Licence go deeper than meeting Log Book requirements
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Independent MP, Peter Draper, believes National’s State Leader, Andrew Stoner, has merely touched the edge of an iceberg on the issue of Learner Drivers, as learners face 120 hours of supervised driving, leading to cases of people fudging their log books in an attempt to beat the system.
“At an average speed of 60kph, a learner driver has to drive 7,200 kilometres to meet the regulations, and Joblink Plus have estimated that fuel and wear and tear on vehicle costs 65 cents a kilometre, so to get a licence can cost up to $4,680, an amount that is out of many people’s reach,” Mr Draper said.
“Yet a licence is essential for most country people to enable them to get a job.”
“It is a vicious circle, with people from lower socio economic backgrounds unable to get a licence, and they can become caught up in the cycle of disadvantage as a result,” he said.
“I have previously advocated that the first stages of obtaining a licence should be part of the school curriculum, and Government has a role to play to ensure that one section of the community is not disadvantaged when trying to obtain a licence,” he continued.
Mr Draper said there is a real need for properly resourced and supported programmes to help learners complete the 120 hours of practical driving experience.
Mr Draper pointed to Tamworth’s Joblink Plus Community Learner Driver Mentoring Programme, as one that deserves more support from Government.
He said that Joblink Plus’ Community Partnerships Coordinator, Marg Hombsch, told him: “On a daily basis we deal with people who don’t have a licence. The reality is they are severely limited in their access to employment opportunities as a result.”
“Marg told me that many young people lack support in terms of suitable supervising drivers, or access to a vehicle,” he said.
Mr Draper said the Joblink Plus Community Learner Driver Mentoring Programme examines criteria of need and levels of disadvantage, before running suitable applicants through a three-week programme to obtain their L-plates. He said that the participants then understand the reasons behind the road rules, and come out with a much better awareness of their place on the road.
“Applicants are well prepared, gain confidence and in most instances get their L plates on the first go,” Mr Draper said.
“After they get their L plates, they have two formal driving lessons to assess their skill levels, and then transition to a mentoring stage.”
Each learner is assigned a mentor, and arrange their weekly lesson with a long term commitment to obtaining their P plates,” he continued.
“I am one of the 46 mentors already trained and operating, but of course Joblink Plus could utilise more,” he said.
“I will gladly support any moves to highlight the problems associated with obtaining a licence and will be detailing the Joblink Plus Community Learning Driver Mentoring Programme shortly in Parliament, as an initiative that deserves support and consideration for use as a model right across NSW,” Mr Draper concluded.
Electricity Price Rise A Very Hard Pill to Swallow
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
State MP, Peter Draper, has expressed great disappointment that the NSW Government has accepted recommendations by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for electricity prices in New South Wales to rise by an average of 20 per cent from July 1 this year.
However Mr Draper is moderately pleased that the Government has listened to concerns he has raised regarding the impact on seniors and other vulnerable sections of the community.
“I am disappointed that Minister Macdonald seems pleased that these increases are 3% lower than the original recommendations by IPART,” Mr Draper said.
“Sadly, any price increases will hit country families hard, and are an impost they could well do without given the current economic climate,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper pointed to an announcement from IPART, that a typical residential customer of Energy Australia, Integral Energy and Country Energy on regulated tariffs could expect to pay around $3.53, $3.89 and $3.92 more per week respectively for electricity.
“These figures represent an increase of around 21.7 per cent, 21.1 per cent and 17.9 per cent for regulated residential customers of Energy Australia, Integral Energy and Country Energy, respectively,” he said.
“This will hurt a lot of people but thankfully the Government has at least listened to concerns about impacts upon seniors and disadvantaged sections of our community, and put forward a $272 million Consumer Protection Package to cushion that impact.
"The new system includes $125 million over five years to support a Customer Assistance Policy; $65 million over five years to increase the pensioner energy rebate from $112 to $130 per year and to index the rebate to CPI into the future; $55 million over five years to increase funding for the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Scheme (EAPA); plus $27.5 million over five years to extend the pensioner energy rebate to a selected group of health care card holders,” he continued.
Mr Draper said it was critical that investment was made to rejuvenate the entire electricity supply network, but pointed out that it was disappointing mums and dads would pay for the lack of forward planning during the golden economic times when coffers were awash with GST revenue.
“Of even greater concern to me, is that this will be used as an attempt to persuade NSW residents that the State needs to privatise Government owned electricity assets, resulting in price hikes in this essential service,” he said.
“Both the Government and Opposition have spent far too much time trying to score cheap political points over this vital issue, while local consumers face excessive price rises and more power failures,” he continued.
“If both sides of the political spectrum worked together in the interest of NSW consumers, they may well have been able to save people from these savage increases," he said.
"The people of NSW have every right to feel very angry about this latest price rise, especially considering they are likely to be hit even harder in the upcoming State budget,” Mr Draper concluded.
Free workplace safety advice for Tamworth businesses
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Member for Tamworth Peter Draper is calling on local business operators to take part in a free workshop in Tamworth next week conducted by WorkCover NSW, which aims at reducing the risk of manual handling injuries.
“June 2009 has been designated as Manual Handling Month by WorkCover, in a bid to increase awareness of the most common causes of workplace injuries,” Mr Draper said.
“The workshop, Workplace Safety Essentials, Manual Handling will provide practical advice so employers can better understand their workplace safety obligations, while highlighting techniques to identify, assess and control manual handling issues to reduce injuries,” he said.
The workshop will be held on Thursday June 11 from 10am to midday at West’s Diggers, Kable Avenue, in Tamworth.
Manual handling is defined as any activity that involves lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving, holding or restraining, and can also include stretching, bending, sustained and awkward postures and repetitive movements.
Mr Draper said that manual handling incidents accounted for 31 per cent of all NSW workplace injuries in 2006-07.
He said that occupational health and safety experts would run the workshop as they recognise the difficulties many small businesses face in addressing safety and injury management issues.
“The workshops will provide employers with a direct link to WorkCover, and businesses can learn about a range of free services such as arranging for a business advisory officer to visit their workplace,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said WorkCover CEO, Jon Blackwell had advised him that WorkCover had undertaken more than 1000 advisory visits to workplaces across NSW during the past three years. He also said that the visits helped business operators identify and prioritise key safety and injury management areas, and develop alternative solutions to risks.
“The existing focus on providing practical advice has helped reduce workplace injuries to the lowest levels in 20 years and WorkCover aims to continue that trend,” Mr Draper said.
“Every worker should arrive home safely at the end of his or her day, so it is important not to underestimate the importance of workplace safety,” he said.
WorkCover has developed a range of online manual handling publications, including guides, case studies, FAQs, training packages and a discussion forum available from www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.
Bookings for the workshop are essential, and can be made at www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/safebusiness, or by calling 1800 624 097.
For further information contact your local WorkCover office or call 13 10 50.
Need to help Seniors outlined to State Parliament
Monday, May 18, 2009
In a speech to the NSW Parliament, Independent State MP, Peter Draper, warned the State Government that seniors in this state risk losing their recent pension increase through increases in State charges.
“Following the Federal Budget, the NSW Government must now play its part to help pensioners and seniors weather the tough economic climate, and make sure that what they are given with one hand is not stolen with the other,” Mr Draper to the Legislative Assembly.
He told Parliament the New South Wales Council of the Ageing had revealed that single older people have the highest incidence of poverty than any other demographic group.
“Almost a quarter, or 23.9 per cent, of older Australians and almost half, or 46.9 per cent, of all single age pensioners are living in poverty.”
“Of all Australians living in poverty, 27 per cent are aged over 65 years,” Mr Draper said.
He told Parliament that these findings were echoed by the OECD report "Growing Unequal", which found that 50 per cent of Australian single people aged over 65 are living in poverty—the highest percentage in the OECD.
“That is a national disgrace,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper told Parliament the electorate of Tamworth has an older demographic than the Australian average, and many local communities have much lower incomes than the Australian average.
“The Australian average for people aged over 65 is 13.3 per cent of the total population, however in the electorate of Tamworth that figure is nudging 22 per cent,” he said.
Mr Draper said of particular concern was the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s current recommendation that electricity charges should rise by 18.5 per cent, and should the Government approve such a drastic increase, it would immediately jeopardise any benefit to seniors from the pension increase.
“Although pensioners have been entitled to an energy rebate of $112 per annum since 2002, the rebate has not been indexed so its value has been seriously eroded. The State Government should act urgently to address this erosion, and to index the rebate to the consumer price index,” he said.
Mr Draper told Parliament Seniors relied on Government to address mature-age unemployment and age discrimination in the workforce.
“Apart from providing sufficient money to allow pensioners and seniors to live with dignity, social programmes must be developed that allow older people to access planned and properly resourced integrated quality aged care services. These programs must be flexible and equitable, while recognising diversity and promoting choice and respect,” he said.
Mr Draper also outlined concerns raised in his crime, law and order survey showing many Seniors don’t feel safe in their own homes.
“Obviously, the Government must address police numbers to deal with this issue, but social support is just as important,” he said.
“A dramatic $4.8-billion collapse in GST revenue has all but guaranteed a horror State budget. The Treasurer has already intimated it will be tough, however I hope he remembers Gandhi's words:
The measure of a society is how it treats its elderly and vulnerable, when framing it,” he concluded.
Draper supports TAFE teachers
Monday, May 18, 2009
Independent State Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, has joined with other Independent MPs, to offer support for TAFE teachers demonstrating about concessions and trade-offs the Government is currently demanding for a 2.5% pay rise.
The Independent MPs also held discussions with Linda Simon, TAFE Teachers Association Secretary.
"A clever nation needs to nurture its TAFE system and looking after its dedicated teachers is an important step in that direction," Mr Draper said.
Photo (from left): Jean Coady (Tamworth TAFE), Dawn Fardell (Independent Member for Dubbo), Richard Torbay (Northern Tablelands MP), Phil Ward (Dubbo TAFE), Peter Draper (Tamworth MP), Barry Toole (Dubbo TAFE), Jill Finch Ultimo TAFE.
We’re Not Alone As State Government Blusters Over Police Numbers
Friday, May 15, 2009
The State Government is continuing to shirk its obligations to the people of rural and regional NSW every time they pull out the same old tired responses to community calls for extra police protection,” according to Independent State MP, Peter Draper.
Mr Draper expressed disappointment that the Government used its numbers to defeat yet another country community’s call for an increased police presence in State Parliament.
“I supported a motion moved by the National’s Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson, that Parliament: 1) notes that the introduction of 24-hour policing in Cowra has been strongly sought by the community of Cowra; (2) expresses its concern that the policing needs of Cowra have been ignored by the Government; and (3) calls on the Government to immediately introduce 24-hour policing in Cowra,” he said.
“With my ongoing campaign to gain a similar coverage for the Gunnedah community, the plight of the Cowra community certainly deserved full support,” Mr Draper said.
He said the Government had responded with the same old excuses, with the Member for Drummoyne replying on their behalf saying: “The New South Wales Police Force is the fourth largest police force in the western world. Its current authorised strength is 15,306. This is in stark contrast to the authorised strength of 12,907 when the Coalition was last in government.”
She continued: “In March this year more than 5,000 police officers—in fact, 5,193—are based outside the metropolitan area.”
Also speaking for the Government, the Member for Smithfield said: “The authorised strength of the Canobolas Local Area Command, which includes the major towns of Orange and Cowra, has increased by 30.8 per cent under this Government. As mentioned earlier by the Parliamentary Secretary, as at 31 March, the authorised strength was 102, with an actual strength of 115 officers, which represents 13 additional police officers.”
“These are the same responses they give in relation to all calls for increased police numbers, just replace Orange and Cowra with Gunnedah and Tamworth, but they fail to take into account officers on long term leave of one form or another,” Mr Draper said.
The Member for Barwon rightly observed what I’ve been stating for some time: “An extensive report by the Auditor-General last year on a number of local area commands found that one-third of police officers are not on full duties at any one time. They are not on the front line; they are on either on sick leave or reduced duties.”
“Until the Government addresses this problem, the Police Force have no chance of meeting the expectations of the community to live in a safe and secure environment,” Mr Draper said.
“The Government continually praise themselves on police numbers but continually miss the most critical issue, the numbers of officers who might be on the books, but are not available to walk the beat or jump in a car in response to an incident.”
“I’m sure the Member for Burrinjuck feels a little like me that we’re belting our heads against a brick wall trying to get the Government to act on this critical issue.”
“I am prepared to keep banging on that wall of denial until common sense prevails and the Government takes action to rectify the shortfalls, and provide the services that respondents to my crime, law and order questionnaire are rightfully demanding,” Mr Draper concluded.
Dungowan Cowboys Rugby League Team Road Accident
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Ministerial Statement
Mr KEVIN GREENE (Oatley—Minister for Gaming and Racing, and Minister for Sport and Recreation) [3.28 p.m.]: I sadly report that on Tuesday evening a number of players from the Dungowan Cowboys Rugby League team who were heading home after training were involved in a tragic accident when a grain truck overturned on a bend. The players had left the ground in convoy and two of their vehicles were involved in this tragic accident, which resulted in the death of one player, Steve Mamae, and seriously injured his eight-year-old stepson. He was rushed to Westmead Children's Hospital, where he remains in a very serious condition. Another player, Tony Murray, was severely injured and is in the intensive care unit of Tamworth Hospital.
The Dungowan Cowboys represent a very close-knit small community some 20 kilometres from Tamworth. The Dungowan Cowboys re-formed in 2001, having folded in 1953. They have brought their community together through the game of rugby league. In fact, last year they were premiers in the group 4, division 2 competition. This is a very difficult time for the Dungowan community. It is tragic to lose a life.
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The one thing that will undoubtedly continue to draw this community together is its strength and its support for individuals. I recognise the major contribution of the member for Tamworth in the formation of the Dungowan Cowboys in 2001. The club came together to give strength to a very small community. It needs that strength today as it has suffered a great loss. I am sure that all members of the House join me in sharing the regret at that tragic loss of life. All members wish those who were injured a speedy and full recovery. Most importantly, we place on record our support for the Dungowan community at this difficult time.
Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [3.30 p.m.]: I thank the Minister for Sport and Recreation for his very kind words on behalf of the House at this very difficult time for my community. I live in the Dungowan Valley with my wife, Sharon, and my children. We have been members of that community for 11 years. In 2000, I was at the Dungowan Hotel with Kevin Smith, the publican, when a young man came up to us. He was Paul Tongue, the brother of Canberra Raiders captain Alan Tongue. He asked, "What's the chance of getting some support from you guys if we form a rugby union side?" We pointed out to him that we could not form a union side because we would need three teams. We asked him whether he would consider playing league—and that is how the Dungowan Cowboys were formed. It involved a lot of difficult work, including applying to the group, seeking permission from council to develop a playing ground, constructing a changing shed, building a scoreboard, and paying insurances. That is a lot of barriers for a community with only 180 people on the electoral roll. But we did it!
That year the fairytale almost came true. We hosted a grand final attended by 5,000 people. Kootingal were too good on the day, but, gee, they made us proud. Last year we had 129 kids playing for Dungowan. On Tuesday night when the grain truck overturned, the world changed—and it did not change for the better. My deepest sympathies go to Steve Mamae's wife, Allison, and their kids; to Tony Murray and his family; and to the truck driver who was also injured in the accident. Dungowan is a very brave and courageous community, and we are all pulling together. I place on record my deepest sympathy. It will be a tough week to come.
Mr KEVIN HUMPHRIES (Barwon) [3.32 p.m.], by leave: Coalition members' thoughts are with the family of Steve Mamae, the member for Tamworth and all those in the Dungowan community. The commitment of the member for Tamworth to Dungowan was on show 12 months ago, Mr Speaker, when you allowed members of the House to display their club colours at grand final time. Not many people would have recognised that the member for Tamworth wore the Dungowan Cowboys rugby league jumper into the Chamber. As a former Tamworth resident who played a number of games in my youth in the area's second division and as a former group 4 rugby league player, I know that the Dungowan community will be suffering enormously. Our thoughts are with them. I agree with the comment by the member for Tamworth that Dungowan is a very tight-knit community, and it did a very good job pulling together in 2000 to establish a rugby league competition. The Dungowan Hotel is the centre of activity in the valley. Losing key members of the community must be very difficult for everyone. On behalf of the Coalition, I extend our sympathies to the family and to the local community.
The SPEAKER: I speak on behalf of the House. The House joins in offering our deepest sympathies not only to the family, friends and colleagues of Steve Mamae, who passed away, but also to the Dungowan Cowboys and all the players' families and friends.
Members and officers of the House stood in their places as a mark of respect.
State Government Must Help Pensioners and Seniors Weather Tough Times
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The NSW Government must now do its part to assist pensioners and seniors to weather the tough economic climate, and make sure that what they receive in one hand is not stolen from the other, according to State MP, Peter Draper.
“I welcome the $32.49 a week increase for singles and $10.14 for couples announced in the Federal budget, however that increase does not kick in until September, and any significant increases to prices of utilities and services could see the increase eroded very quickly,” Mr Draper said.
“For example, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is currently recommending increases to electricity charges of 18.5%.”
“Although pensioners have been entitled to an energy rebate of $112 per annum since 2002, that rebate has not been indexed, and as a result its value has been seriously eroded.”
“The State Government should act urgently to make up this erosion, and to index the rebate to the CPI while also examining other options to assist older residents through services and concessions provided,” he said.
Mr Draper said that at the Pensioner’s Rally held in Tamworth late last year, attendees heard that the full rate pension of $14,814 for singles and $24,746 for couples is simply not enough to cover basic costs of goods and services.
“Pensioners who have the pension as their sole income said they had to go without heating at times because they could not afford the extra cost, so any further price rises would compound their problems,” he said.
Mr Draper also said that the electorate of Tamworth has an older demographic than average Australia.
“The 2006 census showed median age in Australia was 37, compared with Barraba 53, Manilla 46, Werris Creek 45, Tamworth 37, Gunnedah 40, Nundle 48, Bendemeer 47 and Boggabri 42.”
“The percentage of the population over 55 years of age is Barraba 47.4%, Manilla 37.7%, Werris Creek 37%, Tamworth 26.1%, Gunnedah 29%, Nundle 41.5%, Bendemeer 34.8% and Boggabri 35.1%.”
“The Australian average for persons over 65 is 13.3% of the total population, however in the electorate of Tamworth that figure is nudging 22%,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said he had provided this information to IPART in a submission opposing the proposed increases.
“I pointed out that current economic circumstances, following years of prolonged drought, mean that many households in this district will not be able to sustain any increases to the cost of this essential service,” he said.
“Many of our communities have incomes well below the Australian average. For example, at the 2006 Census the Australian average median weekly individual income was shown to be $466, compared with Barraba $281, Manilla $290, Werris Creek $284, Bendemeer $277, Nundle $283, Boggabri $304, Gunnedah $366 and Tamworth $423,” he continued.
“I heard Treasurer Roozendaal say NSW faces a tough budget following massive drops in GST income.”
“We are all going to pay for mismanagement of ‘the golden economic years’ but our pensioners and seniors deserve extra help through a situation that was not of their own making,” Mr Draper concluded.
Tidy Towns Great Idea – What About A Safest Community Award?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
State MP Peter Draper has told State Parliament that as he was flying back from Canberra, after Tamworth was named National Tidy Town 2009: “I thought it would be great if we could develop a safest communities programme, and provide awards to encourage respect and responsibility, and to get us all working together towards safer community environments.”
“It is community pride that gained Tamworth this honour, and responses to my crime, law and order questionnaire confirmed the desire of all our communities is for a safe, secure environment. This is also a prerequisite for community pride and one we need to continually develop,” he said.
Mr Draper told Parliament about the questionnaire, results to date, highlighted community concerns, reported on Police Minister Kelly’s recent visit to Tamworth and Gunnedah and action that was required to meet those various community concerns.
“I told Parliament the Minister heard strong concerns about the number of police who are available for duty as opposed to authorised strength numbers, and that these long-term absences are hurting the ability of the New South Wales Police Force to provide the protection that the community needs and deserves. Although these shortages are state-wide, Gunnedah faces some major challenges.”
“The Legislative Assembly heard that I had presented the Minister with 846 completed questionnaires from Gunnedah locals and that seventy per cent of people think that crime levels are unacceptable, while 74 per cent believe that incidents of crime are increasing. Of real concern to me is the fact that nearly 30 per cent said they do not feel safe in their own homes.”
Mr Draper pointed out that misbehaviour by teenagers, drunkenness, vandalism, burglary, theft, assault, domestic disputes, street racing and speeding were the main factors identified by residents, while opinions about the causes of crime included alcohol and drug abuse, family breakdown, unemployment, violence and racial issues.
Mr Draper also highlighted the importance of victims reporting all crime.
“Police numbers are determined on statistical evidence and in Gunnedah at least, almost half the incidents have gone unreported.”
Mr Draper told Parliament, “In 2007-08 Gunnedah experienced spikes in break and enter of dwellings and motor vehicle theft, but across New South Wales the figures in both those categories fell. Whilst New South Wales experienced a statewide fall of 5.9 per cent and Tamworth a 20.1 per cent fall in reported break and enter of dwellings, Gunnedah saw a rise of 54.7 per cent in this category. From 86 incidents in 2007 there were 133 break and enter offences in 2008.”
“Both Tamworth and Gunnedah saw increases in motor vehicle theft that again defied a statewide decrease of 8.9 per cent. In Gunnedah there was an increase of 80 per cent, while the figure for Tamworth was up 82.3 per cent. Gunnedah went from 20 incidents in 2007 to 36 in 2008, while in Tamworth that figure rose from 96 to 175,” he said.
“The Government must urgently address the anomaly between actual police officers and available police officers to undertake this work, however, that is only a first step. Addressing the social issues that lead to many of these problems is a matter of equal importance.”
“Perhaps the idea of a safest communities programme should be examined as part of that process. We must encourage everyone to play a role in maintaining and promoting a safe community and to engage in achieving successful outcomes,” Mr Draper concluded.
Click here for Hansard.
Keepit Approval sees a Further $116.2 Million Invested in the Electorate of Tamworth
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Independent State MP, Peter Draper, has welcomed the decision to approve a further upgrade of Keepit Dam, by NSW Minister for Planning, Kristina Keneally.
“The aim of the project is to upgrade dam safety and improve the environmental performance of Keepit Dam,” Mr Draper said.
“The project has a capital investment value of $116.2 million and will employ 30 full time staff over the 2.5 year construction timeframe,” he continued.
Mr Draper said that while Keepit dam can safely handle the worst floods on record, it currently does not meet the modern dam safety requirements for extreme floods and earthquakes.
“The project involves raising the main and subsidiary dam walls, constructing release-plugged spillways at the main dam wall and subsidiary dam walls, constructing three saddle dams to match the raised height of the main and subsidiary dam walls, and also to construct a multi-level offtake structure at the main dam wall to improve downstream water quality,” he said.
“As part of the approval, the Minister has imposed a range of conditions to ensure that the upgrade of Keepit Dam will be constructed and operated in accordance with relevant amenity and environmental standards.”
“This includes requiring the Proponent to prepare a Construction Environmental Management Plan, focusing on noise and air management, and an Operational Environmental Management Plan, focusing on soil erosion plus ensuring the safety of people who may be at risk,” he continued.
Mr Draper said the project would eliminate the risk of dam failure up to a probable maximum flood event – the largest flood likely to occur.
“This is an important project to provide upgraded safety and the investment and jobs it will be create are most welcome,” he said.
Mr Draper said that while he welcomed the investment in Keepit, he was critical of both the State and Federal Governments for their failure to allocate funding to augment Chaffey Dam capacity while undertaking that dams safety upgrade.
“The Chaffey Dam safety upgrade is a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver the much needed augmentation and invest in the future economic prosperity of the local region through a sensible and insightful funding injection,” Mr Draper concluded.
Tidy Towns Award’s Win Another Kudos For Great Region
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
“Being in Canberra and hearing Tamworth named as Australia’s Tidiest Town for 2009 filled me with pride, and made me feel extremely honoured to represent such a great region in the NSW Parliament,” said local MP, Peter Draper, following Friday night’s Tidy Town’s Award Presentation.
Mr Draper was appointed as an Ambassador for Keep Australia Beautiful NSW in October 2007.
“Tamworth won the NSW award in 1999 and 2008, and this national award is only the third time a NSW town has won the big one.”
“Congratulations to Mayor James Treloar and his Councillors, Tidy Towns local chairman, Paul Ying and the committee, plus the dedicated council workers, organizations and individuals who made this possible.”
“Our region has a lot to offer, and this is a great endorsement of community spirit,” Mr Draper said.
Tamworth took out the prestigious national award at the Keep Australia Beautiful 2009 Australian Tidy Towns Award held in Canberra at a Vice Regal Reception hosted by Governor General, Quentin Bryce.
Mr Draper also congratulated the other finalists, which Tamworth managed to pip at the post.
“Atitjere (NT), Kambalda (WA), Stansbury (SA), Oatlands (TAS), Horsham (VIC) and Caloundra (QLD) were the other deserving finalists, but Tamworth took the top gong,” he said.
Mr Draper said Tamworth’s win was that much sweeter in that Tamworth had been badly hit by flooding just prior to the judge’s visit, but had still managed to come out on top.
“Tamworth also picked up the Community Action Award, another great accolade, because it recognizes how businesses, community groups, the council, schools and individuals collaborate together and contribute toward making Tamworth a sustainable community,” he said.
Mr Draper said the national win would focus even more attention on Tamworth over the coming twelve months.
“Along with everything else Tamworth has to offer, this is really icing on the cake,” he said.
“As this year’s Tidy Towns Winner, Tamworth will host the 2009 Tidy Towns Award on the weekend of 30th, 31st October and 1st November 2009,” he continued.
“A deserving award for a great community. Congratulations Tamworth,” Mr Draper concluded.
Photo – back from left: Ruth Luxford (member of Tamworth Regional Tidy Towns Committee), Paul Ying (Chairman Tamworth Regional Tidy Downs Committee), Councillor James Treloar (Mayor Tamworth Regional Council), Peter Draper (Independent MP for Tamworth and Ambassador for Keep Australia Beautiful); front from left: Doreen Goddard (Secretary of Tamworth Regional Tidy Towns Committee), Janita Ying, and Valda Smith (member of Tamworth Regional Tidy Towns Committee).
Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment (07/05/09 Question Time)
Mr PETER DRAPER: I direct my question to the Premier. Given that earlier today The Nationals were forced into committing, in Hansard,to the redeveloped Tamworth hospital, will he reconfirm his commitment that the construction of the hospital will commence during this term of Parliament?
Mr Chris Hartcher: Point of order: Standing orders do not allow argumentative questions. That was a very argumentative question, "Given that … The Nationals were forced …" to do certain things. I invite you to rule the question out of order.
Mr John Aquilina: To the point of order, I do not know where the member for Terrigal was, but the question I heard clearly asked the Premier to reply to a specific question to the House.
The SPEAKER: Order! I invite the member for Tamworth to restate his question.
Mr PETER DRAPER: Thank you for the further opportunity. I direct my question to the Premier. Will the Premier reconfirm his commitment that construction of the Tamworth hospital redevelopment will commence during this term of Parliament?
The SPEAKER: Order! The House will come to order.
Mr NATHAN REES: I thank the member for Tamworth for his question. He has been a strong advocate for his community on this issue. Just yesterday he came knocking on my door to press the case for Tamworth hospital. I let him in and we had a discussion, and he pressed his case. I assure the member and his community that our commitment to Tamworth hospital is unchanged. The New South Wales Government will begin work on a new Tamworth hospital in this term.
The SPEAKER: Order! I place the member for Murray-Darling on three calls to order.
Mr NATHAN REES: We will begin work on a new Tamworth hospital in this term. Work is progressing. I am happy to advise the member that the clinical services plan for the new hospital has been endorsed. Health Infrastructure has been formally notified, and within the next two weeks tenders will be called to appoint a project director for planning. While that work is underway, economic advisers appointed by Health Infrastructure in April, ACIL Tasman, are finalising their strategic planning work.
The member for Tamworth would have been disappointed that The Nationals backed away from their commitment to the hospital. In a display of verbal gymnastics the Liberals and The Nationals have bounced around what, frankly, are a lot of weasel words on this issue, further exposing their lack of ability to arrive at a coherent policy position. The land speed record was broken as The Nationals ran away from their commitment to build the Tamworth hospital. Instead, they wanted to establish a task force. The good people of Tamworth took little time to see through that. A back flip is what the Northern Daily Leader, the key journal of record in the region, called that. It said it was a "slap in the face" for the people of Tamworth. That is how The Nationals' position was assessed locally. On Saturday their leader said the national task force was a "smokescreen". No wonder the people of Tamworth are so upset.
In August, the member for North Shore and shadow health spokesperson seemed to have a different view. No task force for her; she wanted to match the Government's commitment to build a new Tamworth hospital. The flip came last Thursday, with the Leader of The Nationals leaving the commitment to the hospital in the dust of his travelling road show. Has that not been a smashing success? At Queanbeyan for 30 minutes, did not talk to a local, and then they are out creating unease and insecurity for the good people of Tamworth about the future of their health services.
This morning we announced the first private sector involvement in water delivery in Australia under the Water Industry Competition Act, and that reminded me that two years on there is still no policy for water from the other side of the House. After the last election, the Leader of the Opposition said to the media when he was asked about policy, "We will get back to you in a couple of years." The clock is ticking. It is well over two years and there is still no water policy, still no energy policy, still no coherent health policy, still no coherent policy in relation to the Department of Community Services [DOCS], unless the old policy stands, which is to get rid of that department. On the most basic and fundamental of issues, whether he will or will not build a hospital in Tamworth, he still cannot get his story straight.
Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment (Hansard)
Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [11.44 a.m.]: I move:
That this House:
(1) congratulates Opposition health spokesperson Jillian Skinner for providing the member for Tamworth with a written commitment to deliver the Tamworth hospital redevelopment, and to identify it as a priority for any future Coalition government;
(2) condemns Andrew Stoner, Trevor Khan and the NSW Nationals for abandoning the people of Tamworth by walking away from this commitment and instead forming another task force to re-examine the issue; and
(3) calls on all Nationals members of Parliament to urgently rethink their new position and guarantee that the Tamworth hospital redevelopment, complete with much needed radiotherapy services, will commence in the first term of any future Coalition government.
The redevelopment of Tamworth hospital is essential if the people of the New England and the north-west are to have infrastructure that can meet the increasingly complex and expensive needs of health provision into the future. Tamworth hospital has to deal with many procedures and services formerly available at smaller hospitals in the region, and it will play an increasingly important role in training new doctors from the School of Rural Medicine at the University of New England in Armidale.
When The Nationals' magical mystery bus tour arrived in Tamworth last week local people were interested in why these members of Parliament were driving across the State visiting various communities instead of being in their electorates and working for the people who elected them. By lunchtime, the Leader of The Nationals and Trevor Khan had made the reason for their visit very clear: They were coming to tell Tamworth residents that the Coalition was no longer committed to redeveloping Tamworth hospital but instead was going to form a task force that could, yet again, re-examine the need for an upgraded hospital. I was very pleased to receive a letter from the shadow Minister for Health dated 19 August 2008, stating:
We are fully committed to delivering the long promised Tamworth hospital, and to this end have committed making it a priority for Coalition Government.
She re-confirmed that commitment in a letter to the member for Northern Tablelands as recently as 23 March this year. It appeared there was consensus from all political parties that the Tamworth hospital redevelopment would take place, and I considered it a bonus that the Coalition identified it as a priority. The Leader of The Nationals, the duty member of the Legislative Council for Tamworth, Trevor Khan, and the other parliamentarians stand condemned for abandoning the people of Tamworth. By walking away from the commitment and forming another task force The Nationals have ignored all of the work already done, and they have deserted the people of the New England and north-west. Federal member of Parliament, Tony Windsor, has described this farce of a task force as blatantly placing a genuine health campaigner, Ann Jacob, in the middle of a political agenda. Mr Windsor also said that it is another example of The Nationals choosing a local victim for their perverse political gain, and that it does not address the real needs of the people of the region.
The greatest insult to country people has been the blatant hypocrisy and the complete lack of ethics displayed by The Nationals on the hospital redevelopment debate. They have manipulated the situation, constantly undermined confidence in the project and instilled fear into health workers and their families through their constant criticisms—all without providing any answers to the challenges. A fancy slogan—"The New South Wales Nationals Start the Change Regional Tour"—and a bus covered in Andrew Stoner's photograph that drives up and down the streets of country towns, combined with a few state-the-obvious motherhood statements, are not what people are looking for in an alternative government. In one regional community members of The Nationals did not even bother to get out of the bus except for a very quick photo opportunity.
Urgent work is required at the Tamworth hospital to provide modern maternity accommodation. We need to progress the communities' calls for radiotherapy treatment to be made accessible in Tamworth so cancer patients do not have to travel so far for treatment. Instead, The Nationals have tried to manipulate local people. The party seems to lack policy, direction and vision. It is interesting to examine the record of The Nationals' duty member of the Legislative Council, Trevor Khan, on the redevelopment of Tamworth hospital. Since I received the letter from the shadow Health Minister dated 19 August 2008, Mr Khan has put out more than 20 media releases on this subject. It is fascinating to look back. On 29 August 2008, in one of his media releases headed, "Iemma Must Honour Promise On Tamworth hospital", Trevor Khan said, "We need our hospital now." On 19 September 2008 the Leader of The Nationals, Trevor Khan and Jenny Gardiner launched the Tamworth hospital online petition. Trevor Khan said that the Tamworth hospital redevelopment was a major issue of importance to the people of the region. He said:
Tamworth, this is your hospital. It is time to get behind it, logon, sign the petition and show your support.
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The community response to the petition was well documented by Mr Khan. On 26 September 2008 there were 500 signatures on the Help Our Hospital website—and counting. Mr Khan said, "I say to the Premier Nathan Rees, ignore the people of Tamworth at your peril." The website contains a commentary on the issue: 30 September, 1,000 signatures, and counting; 14 October, critical mass—2,000 signatories on the Help Our Hospital petition; 29 October, Tamworth hospital redevelopment still on the chopping block; 11 November, delay may be fatal; 12 November, uncertainty over hospital redevelopment must end; 19 November, axe looms over Tamworth hospital redevelopment; 4 December, Premier refuses to fund hospital redevelopment; 5 December, launch of the online health survey; and 17 December, Tamworth health services plan missing in action. The new year saw more of the same: 6 January, health survey results roll in. In an example of just how callous and manipulative this process has been, Mr Khan is quoted as saying:
I realise that it is very difficult for people to share their stories of personal grief and heartbreak, but their willingness to do so is most helpful in assisting in the development of good public health policy. The responses to date have been invaluable and will be passed on to the relevant Shadow Ministers to assist in the further refining of New South Wales Liberal/Nationals Coalition policy in the lead up to the next state election in March 2011.
The policy is to abandon the hospital and to form a task force. The campaign of deceit continued. The website commentary states: 12 January, Maitland miscarriage drama—ramifications for Tamworth; 29 January, Rees must meet his Tamworth hospital commitment regardless of Federal funding decisions; 2 February, Tamworth's maternity ward plight championed; 26 February, health services plan still not finalised; and 1 April, still no release date for Tamworth health services plan. After all of this hysteria and manipulation, on 30 April Andrew Stoner and Trevor Khan announced that they were going to form yet another task force to guide the Coalition's approach to the future service and facility needs of the Tamworth hospital.
What a blatant disregard for our community's needs and what a kick in the teeth for local residents. Someone has forgotten to tell them that they have already had a health task force that visited Tamworth. That task force has already spoken to the clinicians, residents, doctors, nurses, volunteers and patients about redeveloping the hospital. I call on all Nationals members to rethink this new position urgently and to guarantee that the Tamworth hospital redevelopment, complete with much-needed radiotherapy services, will proceed in the first term of any future Coalition government.
Yesterday I heard The Nationals leader on ABC radio saying that the redevelopment would now happen—yet another backflip—if his party could rebuild trust with the community. In other words, they will get a hospital if they vote for The Nationals. That is blatant bribery. Given the conversations I have had with people who rang me outraged at those comments, they should be withdrawn. I agree with Tony Windsor that the people deserve a great deal better. The Nationals should apologise to everyone who signed the online petition and recommit to the hospital redevelopment. That would be a really good start to rejoining this debate in a positive way.
Dr ANDREW McDONALD (Macquarie Fields—Parliamentary Secretary) [11.55 p.m.]: "In the end, improving patient care is why we all get out of bed every morning." They are the words of a clinician during a Garling inquiry hearing. That attitude is demonstrated at Tamworth hospital more than in many other hospitals in the State. I pay tribute to the staff of Tamworth hospital for the work they have done and will do. It is always a major challenge to work in a base hospital, and especially to implement new technologies. We have no hands but the dedicated staff at Tamworth hospital. The medical school facility at the hospital is extremely exciting. It has 120 medical students at the moment and has an annual intake of 60 students. Those students are the future of our profession and they are lucky to be at the University of New England. We are all looking forward to their continued learning and their contribution to rural health.
The Tamworth hospital issue highlights the Opposition split and the state of the shotgun marriage between the high Tories and the rural Socialists. Last week when the leader of The Nationals visited Tamworth he backflipped on the Coalition's commitment, probably because he was not aware of it. The Northern Daily Leader, which has always been tough on The Nationals, had a front-page headline: "BACKFLIP: Nats ditch hospital pledge". The article states:
As of yesterday...the Nationals are now only committed to developing a plan.
Mr Stoner stopped short of committing to a timeframe for when the redevelopment might commence ... how much it might cost ... or what it would include.
I suspect that he was distracted by the DVD being played on his magic bus. They were probably watching Little Miss Sunshine, which tells the story of a disastrous bus trip around America. I recommend it to The Nationals, but they have probably already seen it. We have seen a 180-degree change in direction from The Nationals this week. Now they would build a hospital, but on one condition; that is, that they win the trust of the people of Tamworth. What does that mean? It sounds like a veiled threat to the people of Tamworth. The Nationals' policy changes by the day. The Coalition has produced a two-point health plan. The major policy is to expand the number of area health services from eight to 20. They say that that would help the area health services pay their bills. It will not.
Mr Andrew Constance: Point of order: The Minister is clearly misleading the House about Liberal Party policy. He knows full well that we are not going to scrap area health services. The standing orders state that members should not mislead the House. That statement is offensive. He should be very clear about our policy and not seek to mislead the House. I am also interested to hear about Labor's position in respect of Tamworth hospital given that it has been in Government for 14 years.
ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Matthew Morris): Order! There is no point of order.
Dr ANDREW McDONALD: The Opposition's policy appears to involve increasing the number of health services from eight to 20 and renaming them health clusters. There will be 20 chief executives, 20 accounts departments, 20 teams of office support staff, 20 offices throughout the State and 20 boards. That is a return to the formula that gave us the problems at Campbelltown. It would have a serious adverse effect on rural health, which needs networking. Networking is the future of health care. The recurrent cost of the extra 12 health services would be $300 million a year. To my knowledge, The Nationals have not set out which hospitals would go where. Good luck! I have a copy of "Making it up"—I mean, "Making it Work"—The Nationals' policy. However, it does not contain a map indicating which hospital will go where. It will be a most interesting exercise. The Nationals' changes would not pay a single creditor and, most importantly, would not treat a single patient.
The 2008 mini-budget did change the timeframes for a number of capital health projects and times are tough. The global financial crisis is the greatest crisis we have had to deal with since the Depression. However, the New South Wales Government continues with its significant health capital program. Since 2003 the New South Wales Government has completed more than 600 major health capital projects at a cost of more than $2.1 billion. Liverpool Hospital gets bigger every week. I am looking forward to the new concrete pour—I check it every week. This Government has rebuilt virtually every major hospital and emergency department in the State. One project now underway is one of the largest health capital projects in Australia's history. The $1 billion Royal North Shore Hospital will become one of the finest new hospitals in the world and will remain a centre of excellence for the entire State, including the North Coast, which sends many patients to that facility.
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While the Opposition backtracks, the Government has been clear: It will invest in Tamworth. The Premier has given his commitment that the project will commence in this term of government. This is an undertaking from a Government that has built or rebuilt every major hospital and emergency department in the State and has a track record of delivering major projects versus an Opposition that originally attacked the Government for planning the project, then matched its commitments, then committed to planning and then promised to build the hospital. The Liberals policy, Making It Work, is now known in the health system as Making It Up. Tamworth is not even mentioned in that document. I hope that the Coalition's commitment is not like one of Mr Howard's non-core promises. It is a plan to increase the health bureaucracy—not one more doctor, not one more nurse, but more money on bureaucrats and no track record of improving the health of the people of New South Wales. That is why the people of Tamworth have consistently rejected The Nationals in favour of progressive Independents such as Mr Draper and Mr Windsor, and have done so for generations. One of the truisms of politics is that the electorate always gets it right.
Mr ADRIAN PICCOLI (Murrumbidgee—Deputy Leader of The Nationals) [12.00 p.m.]: I move an amendment to the motion:
That paragraphs 2 and 3 be omitted with a view to inserting instead:
(2) acknowledges the comments by the Leader of The Nationals in the Northern Daily Leader of 5 April 2009 that: "The Coalition's commitment to the project was 100% and that come the election a comprehensive plan would be in place on how this could be achieved"; and
(3) acknowledges the commitment by The Nationals/Liberals to Tamworth as printed in the Northern Daily Leader of 6 April 2009 that: "The Liberal/National Coalition yesterday announced it was 100% committed to a fully costed redevelopment of Tamworth Hospital should it win the next State election".
Members may wonder why I am making my contribution to the debate from this side of the House: I will always speak on the opposite side of the Chamber to those who are campaigning for the re-election of the Labor Government in New South Wales. That is what the member for Tamworth has been doing for the six years he has been a member of Parliament. We have seen that particularly in the past couple of weeks. The member for Tamworth has been critical of The Nationals and the Coalition over the past couple of weeks.
Mr Thomas George: Couple of weeks? The past 10 years.
Mr ADRIAN PICCOLI: Particularly over the past couple of weeks, but not one word has been said about the Labor Party over the past couple of weeks—not one word. Yet when Morris Iemma was Premier he went to Tamworth and said, "We will build a new hospital in Tamworth." That was the commitment prior to the last State election, but has the member for Tamworth ever criticised Labor for not delivering on that promise? When the Parliamentary Secretary for Health addressed the House it was seven minutes before he referred to the redevelopment of the Tamworth Hospital. All he said was, "We are going to invest in Tamworth," which is code for, "We are not going to do anything." Labor knows it cannot win the seat of Tamworth at the next election. Its vote in Tamworth was about 10 per cent—
Mr Peter Draper: It was 8 per cent.
Mr ADRIAN PICCOLI: —8 per cent at the last election. That is why Labor will not build the hospital in Tamworth. The member for Tamworth is a nice bloke, but he is campaigning for the re-election of the Labor Government. All he has done for two weeks is criticise The Nationals. I have looked at his website, where he posts his press releases. Almost every single one of them criticises The Nationals, criticises the Liberal Party, condemns Jillian Skinner and condemns Andrew Stoner—it condemns anybody who is involved with the Liberals or The Nationals. It never once condemns the Labor Party for any of its failures in Tamworth. If there is ever a failure, it is the failure to deliver this hospital in Tamworth as promised by former Premier Morris Iemma. Yet there is never one word of criticism of the Labor Party. That says to me that the member for Tamworth is campaigning for re-election of the Labor Party in New South Wales. We have seen what that party has done in New South Wales. I have a question for the member for Tamworth: Will you build the hospital in Tamworth? You are asking The Nationals, the Liberal Party and the Labor Party. Will you build it?
Mr Peter Draper: I am not a bricklayer.
Mr ADRIAN PICCOLI: You are asking everybody else. I am asking you, will you build the hospital in Tamworth?
Mr David Harris: Point of order: The member for Murrumbidgee is directing his comments across the Chamber when he should direct them through the chair. He is also being argumentative.
ACTING-SPEAKER (Mr Matthew Morris): Order! I uphold the point of order. The member for Murrumbidgee will direct his comments through the Chair.
Mr ADRIAN PICCOLI: The member for Tamworth cannot build a hospital in Tamworth. Only a Coalition government can build the hospital in 2011. That is the bottom line. It is easy for the member for Tamworth to say. "Here is $330 million. Here is $370 million", but only a Coalition government in 2011 can build that hospital. I can understand why unaligned members like the member for Tamworth are getting so upset. The well-known and well-regarded Auditor-General reported that Independent members only get $1 from the State Government for every $1.30 the Government spends in Coalition seats. They are not getting as much money as are seats held by The Nationals, and they are very upset about it.
Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [12.06 p.m.], in reply: That was fantastic. I have never heard anything quite as exaggerated or ridiculous in my life. I am very much looking forward to the construction of the Tamworth Hospital. Having met again with the Premier yesterday and received advice, I am looking forward to construction starting in this term of Parliament, as has been promised by two successive Premiers. The hypocrisy of The Nationals, which was on exhibition again, is amazing. They are trying to insinuate that Independent members do not receive funding from the Government and that the Coalition is somehow this magnet for attracting money. I succeeded a member of The Nationals in this House. Due to his hard work our electorate received $9 million in the budget. That was fantastic. The member for Murrumbidgee will be interested to know that we have gone from $9 million to $18 million, to $35 million, to $67 million, to $82 million, and to $129 million last year. This year I am looking forward to an even further increase.
It is called working hard for your community. It is knocking on Minister's doors, securing commitments to build new things. We have a brand-new school. Last week I had the honour of turning the sod for the new school for disabilities in Tamworth—a $8.1 million investment in people with disabilities. The plan of the department originally was to build six classrooms. We are not getting six—we are getting eight—and that came about through some very effective lobbying and an investment of another $8 million in our local community to provide opportunities for young people with disabilities. The hypocrisy of The Nationals continues. I am yet to be convinced by any utterances coming from the mouth of the Leader of The Nationals, because they simply cannot be believed. The man backflips and flip-flops from one extreme position to another. He drives around country communities in that moving billboard, that great big white and green bus. When it first drove into Fitzroy Street Tamworth it parked in the taxi rank in front of my office.
What sort of respect for the community is on display from this wonderful bunch of individuals who clearly have no interest in country communities? If they had an interest in country communities they would not need a bus, they would headquarter their office in country New South Wales instead of in Carrington Street in Sydney. This has been going on for years. There is continued hypocrisy, particularly by the local upper House member the Hon. Trevor Khan, who is doing a magnificent job of destabilising the community, putting fear into all of the workers in the Tamworth health system. I have had wives and children and other people coming into my office extremely upset by the instability that the Hon. Trevor Khan is creating. If he thinks it is a way of campaigning and being productive, he can go right ahead, but I do not think he has any understanding of the ramifications of his current stance.
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The Nationals stand condemned for walking away from this hospital. I do not believe the utterances coming from the Leader of The Nationals, nor does the community. It is an absolute disgrace. I highly commend the motion to the House.
Question—That the words stand—put.
The House divided.
Ayes, 52
Mr Amery
Ms Andrews
Mr Aquilina
Ms Beamer
Mr Besseling
Mr Borger
Mr Brown
Ms Burton
Mr Campbell
Mr Coombs
Mr Corrigan
Mr Costa
Mr Daley
Ms D'Amore
Mr Draper
Mrs Fardell
Ms Firth
Mr Furolo |
Ms Gadiel
Mr Gibson
Mr Greene
Mr Harris
Ms Hay
Mr Hickey
Ms Hornery
Ms Judge
Ms Keneally
Mr Khoshaba
Mr Koperberg
Mr Lalich
Mr Lynch
Mr McBride
Dr McDonald
Ms McKay
Mr McLeay
Ms McMahon |
Ms Megarrity
Ms Moore
Mr Morris
Mrs Paluzzano
Mr Pearce
Mrs Perry
Mr Piper
Mr Sartor
Mr Shearan
Mr Stewart
Ms Tebbutt
Mr Terenzini
Mr West
Mr Whan
Tellers,
Mr Ashton
Mr Martin |
Noes, 34
Mr Aplin
Mr Baird
Mr Baumann
Ms Berejiklian
Mr Cansdell
Mr Constance
Mr Debnam
Mr Dominello
Mr Fraser
Ms Goward
Mrs Hancock
Mr Hartcher |
Mr Hazzard
Ms Hodgkinson
Mrs Hopwood
Mr Humphries
Mr Merton
Mr O'Dea
Mr O'Farrell
Mr Page
Mr Piccoli
Mr Provest
Mr Roberts
Mrs Skinner |
Mr Smith
Mr Souris
Mr Stokes
Mr Stoner
Mr J. H. Turner
Mr R. W. Turner
Mr J. D. Williams
Mr R. C. Williams
Tellers,
Mr George
Mr Maguire |
Pair
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Amendment negatived.
Motion agreed to.
Local MP Supports Racing Changes That Will Benefit Local Industry
Friday, May 8, 2009
Local MP, Peter Draper, has spoken in support of the Greyhound Racing Bill 2009, the Harness Racing Bill 2009 and the Racing Legislation Amendment Bill 2009, in the NSW Parliament.
“The main purpose of these three bills is to reform and update the statutory arrangements that underpin the governance of both the greyhound and harness racing industries,” Mr Draper said.
“The bills repeal the Greyhound and Harness Racing Administration Act 2004, dissolve the Greyhound and Harness Racing Regulatory Authority, plus repeal the Greyhound Racing Act 2002 and the Harness Racing Act 2002. The legislation will transfer the functions and responsibilities of each dissolved authority into one single controlling body for each of the greyhound and harness racing codes.”
“It will provide an independent board structure for Greyhound Racing New South Wales and Harness Racing New South Wales based upon the recently introduced Racing New South Wales model. It will also provide for an independent integrity auditor function across all three codes to investigate and act upon complaints about the conduct of racing officials, while contributing significant savings,” Mr Draper continued.
Mr Draper told Parliament that earlier in the week he had met with Rex Horne, Chairman of the New South Wales Harness Racing Club, to offer his support for its plans to sell the Harold Park facility in Glebe and relocate operations to the west of Sydney.
“A sale of the Glebe facility would offer an unprecedented opportunity for housing and recreation in an area very close to the Sydney central business district, which does not happen very often. A rezoning application is before the Minister for Planning, and I have written to the Minister expressing my support for the application.’ he said.
He said the sale of Harold Park would also free up funds that would be invested in relocating the Tamworth harness and greyhound facilities to an area in which the Tamworth Jockey Club conducts its thoroughbred activities.
“Detailed planning for this relocation has taken place already. Basically the aim is to create a state-of-the-art racing precinct to cater for all three codes, which would become a significant asset for our local district and would open up a range of opportunities for all three organisations.”
“It would also provide an opportunity to examine the allocation of race meetings, which could be done better than at present, and hopefully provide country organisers with additional opportunities to showcase their sports,” he continued.
He said that acceptance within the industry seems to be that change based on a foundation of appropriate and modern governance is necessary if we are to be viable in the future.
“All three codes accept that change is needed to meet the challenges of the present economic climate.”
“These bills will provide a new framework that will take the industry into the future. It is important to realise that Government does not underpin the racing industry's operations. The industry is self-funding and contributes an enormous amount to the State's economy. The greyhound industry contributes more than $469 million a year to the economy and provides some 7,000 full-time jobs, while the harness racing industry contributes some $680 million a year and provides 9,000 jobs. A billion dollars from those two industries is a significant contribution to our State. I support the bills and commend them to the House,” Mr Draper concluded.
Click here for Hansard.
Funding For Local Sports Facilities Welcome
Friday, May 8, 2009
Local State MP, Peter Draper, has welcomed funding through the Capital Assistance Programme that has been granted to several local sporting organisations.
“The Capital assistance programme (CAP) assists Local Government Authorities and not for profit organizations to develop community orientated local sporting and recreational facilities,” Mr Draper said.
“Local government authorities and not for profit sporting and recreational organizations are eligible to receive funding for projects that will improve the amenity of local facilities,” he said.
Mr Draper said the following local organizations and projects had been provided funding through the latest round:
- Barraba Golf Club - $4,267 – to install a watering system at Barraba Golf Course.
- Manilla Little Athletic Centre Inc - $2,207 – to establish an athletics track at Manilla Central School.
- Liverpool Plains Shire Council - $13,000 to provide shade and seating at Werris Creek swimming pool.
- Gunnedah Junior Cricket Association Inc - $13,000 – to provide shelter for players and spectators at Bloomfield and Rosemary streets site.
- Tamworth Junior Riding and Pony Club - $8,032 – to build an ablution block at Tamworth Junior Riding and Pony Club Grounds.
“Over the years CAP funding has provided much welcome assistance in developing facilities around the region,” Mr Draper said.
“In the 2007/08 round $18,359 was provided to upgrade lighting at the Gipps Street Sports Complex, $8,750 to install a shade structure at Kootingal – Moonbi War Memorial Swimming Pool, Nundle Pony Club were granted $25,000 to construct a shower and toilet facility with an environmental waste system and Bendemeer Bowling Club received $2,247 to help upgrade the clubs lighting,” he said.
“A wide range of facilities have benefited from this programme in the past eighteen months, and I am particularly pleased that it provides opportunities across the region to communities both large and small, and for a diverse group of organizations and interest groups.”
“Further investment in years to come will continue to upgrade and maintain facilities that are vital to local people,” Mr Draper concluded.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Independent State Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, said today’s confirmation by NSW Premier Nathan Rees, that the Government’s commitment to the redevelopment of Tamworth Hospital is unchanged, and that work will begin in this term of Parliament, was welcome news for New England / Northwest communities.
Mr Draper said that following this morning’s debate criticizing the Opposition’s recent policy changes on the issue, and their subsequent recommitment to the project being recorded in Hansard, he felt it only proper to re-establish the Government’s position.
“I used Question Time to ask the Premier to reconfirm his commitment that construction of the Tamworth Hospital redevelopment would commence in this term of the Parliament,” Mr Draper said.
“I am pleased that not only has the Premier reconfirmed that commitment, he also announced that the Clinical Services Plan for the redevelopment has been endorsed, Health Infrastructure has been formally notified, and within the next two weeks tenders will be called to appoint a project director for planning,” he said.
“The Premier also revealed that economic advisors appointed by Health Infrastructure in April, Actil Tasman, are finalizing their strategic planning work,” he continued.
“I am delighted that this expensive and complicated project is continuing to progress.”
“There will undoubtedly be more debate on the issue as the planning process unfolds, and that is a good thing to achieve the very best outcomes through the redevelopment,” he said.
Mr Draper thanked the many constituents who had contacted him in recent days urging him to press the matter forward.
“I now trust that all political operatives who have today recommitted to redeveloping the hospital will now work towards delivering the very best hospital facilities for the people of Tamworth and the region,” Mr Draper concluded.
Parliamentary Debate forces Coalition to Commit to Tamworth Hospital on record in Hansard
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The National Party have been forced into committing to redevelop the Tamworth Hospital with an Independent Member holding the seat, following a debate in Parliament today initiated by the local State MP, Peter Draper.
Mr Draper introduced a motion into the Parliament, acknowledging the Shadow Health Minister’s commitment of August 2008 to the redevelopment, condemning the Nationals for their recent back flips on the issue and calling on their Parliamentary members to again commit their support to redevelop Tamworth hospital.
“Following today’s debate we have a recommitment from the State Government, and a new commitment from the Coalition to redevelop Tamworth Hospital, recorded in the Parliamentary Hansard,” he said.
“Both sides of the political spectrum have conceded the importance of this project to the people of the New England / Northwest.”
“I am very pleased that there is bipartisan support on this vital project once again,” he continued.
Mr Draper said he had felt compelled to again raise the issue in Parliament following the recent flip flopping of the Nationals on the issue.
“This issue is too important to the regional community to have any uncertainty attached to it, or to be kicked around for parochial political expediency.”
“Following last Thursdays back flip by the Nationals and their constant changes to their position regarding Tamworth hospital, I am afraid I was not prepared to simply accept newspaper reports that they were 100% committed again,” he said.
“Considering the cynical games the Nationals have played with the hospital redevelopment in recent times, I wanted their unequivocal support for the project recorded on the Parliamentary Hansard record,” he continued.
Mr Draper rejected Nationals claims made during the debate that he was pro Government and anti Opposition.
“When there have been questions as to the Government’s commitment to this project I have similarly questioned the Government in Parliament to have their position recorded on the Hansard record.”
“In the same way, I wanted that same recommitment from the Opposition on record, and I am pleased to have achieved that goal,” he said.
“It is irrelevant to me whether a Labor or a Coalition Government see the Tamworth Hospital redevelopment through to completion - it is the project itself that is vital for our community.”
“I have no illusions that this is an expensive and complicated project, and that we are going to have many more debates about progress before it is completed.”
“But have no doubt I am determined to continue agitating until a state of the art, world class hospital is under way for the people of the New England and North West,” Mr Draper concluded.
Draper calls on Government to allow debate on Livestock Health and Pest Authority issues in Parliament
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Independent State Member for Tamworth has expressed disappointment that the State Government rejected a push by the Opposition to debate issues surrounding recent savage rate hikes for landowners under the newly created Livestock Health and Pest Authorities.
“This is an extremely important issue, so I am disappointed that the Government appear to be wiping their hands of concerns that have been expressed by landholders right around NSW,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said the Nationals Parliamentary Leader had moved that the House:
Place an immediate moratorium on current Livestock Health and Pest Authority rates until this years rates are re-issued with total increases to be capped at Consumer Price Index
- Ensure individual rates invoices have a variance of no more than 10% from CPI
- Change the $14 million locust eradication loan to a grant
“Last year when the Government attempted to push through its reforms relating to the new Livestock Health and Pest Authority, they told farmers and other rural landholders that it would result in better services plus lower rates, but that obviously has not been the case,” Mr Draper said.
“There have been protest meetings held all over the State about these unfair increases, and a debate in Parliament would have allowed the concerns to be aired,” he said.
“At a time when much of country New South Wales is still in the grip of a record breaking drought, with farmers suffering years of financial hardship, plus a global financial crisis that is impacting upon everyone's financial situation, these steep increases have hit country people hard,” he added.
“The Government say there’s nothing they can do about the increases, yet debating this motion would have been a good starting point,” he continued.
“I urge the Government to take note of the anger amongst landholders and to allow this issue to be discussed in the Parliament,” Mr Draper said.
Three Local Schools to Share in $2.5 Million Upgrade Funding
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, today welcomed advice that $2.5 million will be spent in school upgrades across the local area. He said that the work will provide a boost to the local economy, and should underpin local jobs.
Mr Draper welcomed the funding as part of the first allocations to Public Primary Schools under the "21st Century" program - a part of the "Building the Education Revolution" program.
"I am delighted that Kootingal Public School is to receive the new school hall that the community has been actively lobbying for," Mr Draper said.
"The $2 million injection at Kootingal will not only provide the community with a new hall, but it will also be complimented with additional covered outdoor learning areas," he added.
Other local schools to receive an investment in new infrastructure include:
• Attunga Public School is to receive a classroom upgrade costing $250,000;
• Mullaley Public School will receive a new covered outdoor learning area at a cost of $140,000 plus a library upgrade worth $110,000.
“This is a substantial investment in public education in NSW, and there is more to come with rounds two and three to be announced over coming months," Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper also said he had been notified that over $3 billion was to be spent on new and refurbished facilities in public schools across the state.
“The first round of works will start during May and June this year, with work expected to be completed by the end of December 2010," he said.
“A further $3,625,000 is also to be spent on maintenance of local schools in this district as part of the "Building the Education Revolution" program.”
"I am pleased to see this investment in public education as it provides enhanced opportunities for generations of students to come," Mr Draper said.
He pointed out that the funding would support the construction industry and provide opportunities for job creation.
He also said that over $880 million would be spent in the 2008/9 financial year to improve schools and build new facilities across NSW.
"It is important to provide the best learning environment to teachers to work in, and students to learn in," Mr Draper said.
"This investment in public school classrooms, libraries and halls will pay dividends for decades to come," he concluded.
Standing for Livestock Health and Pest Authority Boards best way to have influence on direction into future
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
“The best way to achieve a positive outcome from the amalgamation of rural lands boards following the recent rate hikes is to nominate for and win a position on the new Boards in the current election process,” according to Independent State Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper.
Nominations for six director’s positions on boards of each of the state's 14 new authorities close this Friday, so I would encourage any rural landholder who would like to make this system work, to put their hand up,” he said.
“I have spoken to many people who have been rightfully critical regarding the amalgamations and the subsequent rate rises.”
“I have made representations on behalf of many constituents opposing the amalgamation, and again for people angry about the rate increases. I have met with the head of the new Authority and the Department of Primary Industries plus Minister Ian Macdonald, and the only way I can see landholders influencing future decisions is to elect the best possible candidates who will work to achieve the results they want,” he continued.
“I support moves in the Parliament to highlight the anger and concerns from landholders, but realistically the Government have the numbers, and the Minister has says he cannot reverse the rate increases but will look at ways to prevent significant future increases.”
Mr Draper said all owners or occupiers of rateable land are eligible to be nominated to become a director.
He said the role of Livestock Health and Pest Authority Directors is to set and monitor the strategic direction of the Authority, to build relationships with ratepayers and other key stakeholder groups, to review and challenge the performance of management, and to ensure the financial sustainability of the authority while maintaining sound policies for risk management and regulatory compliance.
“With those responsibilities, having the best people on the boards is critical if the body is to deliver the outcomes that landholders’ want for the future,” Mr Draper said.
“Interested people should contact the local Livestock Health and Pest Authority to find out more about becoming a director, or about voting in the elections.”
“I know there are a lot of passionate people amongst local landholders following the controversy of the last few months.”
“If you think you can help to implement positive change and outcomes, please put your hand up, but be fast because nominations close this Friday, with polling day on 19 June,” Mr Draper concluded.
Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment Is Bigger Than Flip Flop Policy
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
According to Independent State Member for Tamworth, Peter Draper, the Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment will proceed no matter which way the Nationals flip flop on the issue.
“The hospital redevelopment is bigger than Peter Draper, Andrew Stoner or Trevor Khan. It is essential to provide optimum health delivery to the whole New England / Northwest region, and is a vital part in properly train young doctors from the School of Rural Medicine in Armidale. None of the major political parties can walk away from this fact.” Mr Draper said.
“Along with the many community members who have contacted me, I have been extremely disappointed with the flip flopping of the Nationals on such an important issue in recent days.”
“It seems their position changes by the hour depending on whether the headlines are favourable or unfavourable, so it appears they don’t know whether they are coming or going on the issue,” Mr Draper said.
“I was pleased to receive a letter from the Liberal Shadow Minister for Health, dated 19th August 2008, stating that: “We are fully committed to delivering the long promised Tamworth Hospital, and to this end have committed making it a priority for Coalition Government”, a commitment she re confirmed in a letter to the Member for Northern Tablelands as recently as March 23rd this year.”
“Following months of scaremongering from Trevor Khan and the Nationals that the hospital redevelopment was proceeding too slowly or under threat, last Thursday Andrew Stoner, backed away from the commitment and announced the NSW Liberal/Nationals will establish a Tamworth Hospital Taskforce to guide its approach to the future service and facility needs of the Tamworth Hospital.
Mr Draper pointed out the hypocrisy of this stance given Trevor Khan’s constant media releases – 7th October 2008 – Property Tax Slump Does Not Affect Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment - 29th October 2008 - Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment Still On the Chopping Block (mini-budget) - 19th November 2008 – Axe Looms Over Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment - 4th December 2008 – Premier Refuses to Fund Hospital Redevelopment – 29 January 2009 – Rees must meet his Tamworth Hospital commitment regardless of Fed Funding decision - 26 February 2009 – Health Services Plans still not finalized – “The people of the Tamworth region have been waiting long enough for real progress on the Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment,” Trevor Khan said.
“These are just some of the more than 20 scare campaigns that Trevor Khan has used to deceive the community since Mrs Skinner provided me with the Coalition’s assurance last August. They have all suggested the State Government lacked commitment to the project and called for the project to be expedited,” Mr Draper said.
“To push their case Mr Khan set up the “Save Our Hospital” online petition, but the fear campaign continued,” he said.
19th September 2008 – Tamworth Hospital Online Petition Launched - 26th September 2008 – 500 signatures on the Help Our Hospital website and counting – I say to the Premier Nathan Rees: Ignore the people of the Tamworth region at your peril (Trevor Khan) - 30th September 2008 – 1000 signatures and counting … - 14th October 2008 – Critical Mass: 2000 Signatories On The Help Our Hospital Petition – “The petition has now reached a critical mass. Perhaps it could be said that one signature is like one hand clapping but now we have a full room in loud applause.” (Trevor Khan).
Mr Draper said to top it all off on 5 December 2008 the Nationals announced – Launch of the Online Health Survey – Tamworth based Nationals MLC Trevor Khan today officially launched the Help Our Hospital Online Health Survey “Together we can make sure that the Tamworth region gets the health services we deserve,” Mr Khan said.
“These people are well aware of the need for a redevelopment, but after gathering information from their health survey by cynically manipulating local residents to obtain this information, they now want to go back to the drawing board and appoint those well renowned health experts Trevor Khan and Jenny Gardiner to oversee the flip flop,” he said.
“What really highlights the inconsistent nature of the Nationals policy, is that in less than a week they have gone from commitment, back to the start, then back to commitment. I’m getting giddy trying to work out what they really stand for apart from parochial politics,” he said.
“This morning I heard Andrew Stoner say, “The Nationals have always been 100% committed to upgrading Tamworth Hospital, but we want to make sure we know exactly what’s required, how much it will cost and how long it will take. That’s why we’ve set up a task force to answer these questions.”
“Wrong Andrew, you’re flip flopping again. At the last election the Nationals promised a $15 million band aid project, Jillian Skinner committed to the project in August 2008 but in recent days the Stoner and Khan show has raised more questions than they have answered regarding a commitment.”
“Given the Nationals campaign of recent months, I am incredulous that they allege to have no idea of how much it would cost, or how long it would take to build,” Mr Draper continued.
Mr Draper said his resolve to achieve the Tamworth Hospital redevelopment on behalf of the people of the New England / Northwest remained constant.
“This is a huge project that deserves more than being turned into a political football for short term political expediency.”
Mr Draper said that a well-known National Party mouthpiece had summed up the politics currently in play in a letter to the editor when he questioned why the Coalition should commit to fulfilling the hospital promise that he had extracted from the current Government.
“This suggests that while they constantly change their position on the redevelopment, the Nationals are more interested in putting political expediency ahead of community needs.”
“The National’s are at risk of making themselves totally irrelevant to a successful outcome for the Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment, so it is time they took the issue seriously,” Mr Draper concluded.
Save Australian Publishing Industry
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
State MP, Peter Draper, has called on the NSW Government to use the COAG process to reject Productivity Commission (PC) draft recommendations that have the potential to decimate the Australian Publishing Industry, and hurt local authors.
In a rousing speech in defence of the industry, Mr Draper told Parliament:
“The Australian Publishers Association plus many high-profile Australian authors, illustrators, printers, educators and unions, all hold grave concerns about the cultural and economic impacts on Australia’s authors and our book publishing and distribution industry should copyright be surrendered.”
“Currently, Australian authors and publishers operate under rules that restrict the parallel importation of books,” Mr Draper told the Legislative Assembly.
“The 30/90-day rule was a key amendment to the Copyright Act in 1991. It clearly defined an Australian copyright territory separate to the US, Commonwealth and other copyright territories into which English-language books are sold. At the same time, the 30/90-day rule established conditions for parallel importation, which guarantee Australian readers timely access to books,” he continued.
Mr Draper said that under the ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ principle, a book must be published in Australia by the local publisher within 30 days of its release, in English, anywhere overseas — otherwise a bookseller is free to import any other legal edition of that book.
“Similarly, once a book has been published in Australia, a publisher must supply a copy to a bookseller within 90 days of a request, or else that publisher loses the exclusive copyright until the book is back in stock,” he said.
He pointed out that as a result, we’re selling great books at home and exporting our writers in unprecedented numbers.
“We have an excellent retail environment with a strong independent sector, complimented by a competitive printing industry that generates significant numbers of skilled jobs. There’s never been a better time to be a writer or publisher in Australia, but all of that is under threat,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper highlighted how Copyright deregulation would profoundly affect the cultural and economic value of Australian publishing and have five main consequences for Australia including a necessary contraction of the local publishing and printing industries which would result in hundreds of job losses in editing, illustration, design, marketing, distribution and printing.
“The cost of locally produced books is likely to increase while the dumping of overseas editions into Australia would see local publishers could no longer take the same risks in fostering new Australian talent, at the same time compromising the motivation to sell rights of Australian authors overseas,” he said.
“It would lead to the erosion of Australia’s cultural uniqueness. Australian children’s books would be undercut and replaced by American editions with references to ‘sidewalks’, ‘diapers’ and ‘M-O-M’ while market power would be concentrated in the large chain booksellers and discount department stores, creating a blockbuster-only market in which the diversity of books available would be significantly reduced,” Mr Draper said.
“We cannot afford to sacrifice the benefits accrued through Australian Territorial Copyright.” he said.
Mr Draper pointed out that Australians buy just under 130 million books each year.
“Retail sales total between $1.7 and $2 billion per annum, with over 300,000 different titles sold in Australia each year. There are over 14,000 new titles published in Australia each year including 8,000 non-fiction, 1,200 fiction, 1,700 children’s books plus almost 3,000 educational, school and academic titles,” he said.
He pointed out that Australian-originated books account for 60 per cent of the total books sold in Australia each year.
“Publishers employ over 5,000 people, and export is active and successful, with well over $220 million per year in export and foreign rights sales, and Australian authors enjoy territorial copyright in the same way that their peers in the US, UK and Canada do,” he said.
Mr Draper highlighted the fact that The Productivity Commission’s Interim Report undermines the two major arguments put forward by Bob Carr and other vested interest groups in lobbying for change.
“First, the Commission admits it is unclear whether book prices are higher here than overseas, that these price differentials fluctuate, and that the trend even reverses at times when exchange rates reverse,” he said.
“They also acknowledge that there are often many substitutes to titles published in Australia, and the market for any one title is not “closed”.
“Plus they reject the argument put forward by Mr Carr and others about the social impact of cheaper books on literacy rates,” he continued.
“Having rejected these arguments and having conceded that both territorial copyright and the 30-day rule are too important to remove immediately, the Interim Report then makes recommendations that it acknowledges are short on back-up evidence.”
“These recommendations are bizarre and unworkable and they betray a profound lack of understanding of the publishing industry,” he said.
Mr Draper said that all over the world the value of copyright is being strengthened.
“Witness its extension from life plus 50 years to life plus 70, plus the strong territorial copyright regimes of America, the United Kingdom and Canada,” he said.
“In Australia, however, a Government agency is proposing to gut copyright to a mere twelve months, export skilled Knowledge Economy jobs overseas, and prevent our exports in this industry.”
“Currently, we have the best mix of book retailers in the world, the right balance between chains and the independents.”
“Having spent over 16 years of my life in Australian book publishing, and as somebody who highly values the local publishing industry, I would strongly urge the NSW Government through the COAG process to ensure that Australian readers and the local book industry are not sold down the drain through ill-conceived changes to copyright legislation,” Mr Draper said.
“Bob Carr has been wrong about many things in the past, but I think this is the thing he is most wrong on – please protect this industry,” he concluded.
NSW Police Minister, Tony Kelly, visits Tamworth and Gunnedah
Independent MP, Peter Draper, provided Police Minister Tony Kelly with information from his Law, Crime and Order Questionnaire in his push for increased Police numbers during the Minister's visit to Tamworth and Gunnedah.
Mr Draper also stressed the need for more programmes to deal with the social issues that lead to crime.
"The Minister has undertaken to take the communities concerns to Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, for his consideration," Mr Draper said.
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| Local MP, Peter Draper, presents NSW Police Minister, Tony Kelly, with the results of 846 crime, law and order questionnaires returned by a concerned Gunnedah community. |
Oxley Area Command Superintendent Clint Pheeney, Gunnedah Mayor Adam Marshall, Police Minister Tony Kelly, Deputy Gunnedah Mayor Colleen Fuller and State MP Peter Draper discuss Gunnedah policing issues with the Minister during his visit |
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| Peter Draper, Superintendent Clint Pheeney (Commander Oxley Patrol) and Police Minister inspect the new holding cells at Tamworth Police Station. |
1st Gunnedah Scout Group Leaders, Michael Crowhurst and Peter Anderson and members of their troop being presented a NSW State Flag by local MP Peter Draper and Minister Kelly. |
