Team GWS Scholarship Local Western Sydney Player

Team GWS is pleased to announce the signing of a young rising star from Greater Western Sydney with 16 year old Stuart Turner signing a two year scholarship with Team GWS under the AFL (NSW/ACT) Scholarship program.

Turner, described as an aggressive midfield and forward utility, has played four games for Team GWS with the club’s TAC Cup side and impressed the coaching staff early, but has unfortunately been sidelined with a foot injury.

The scholarship announcement comes after Turner put in an impressive performance at the U16 AFL NSW/ACT State Zone Carnival in April, and his selection in the U16 NSW/ACT RAMS.

Turner started playing football with Westbrook Junior AFL Club at just four years old, before moving to Pennant Hills Football Club earlier this year to play U18’s Premier division.

The rising star said that he was looking forward to the challenges ahead with Team GWS.

“I’m really excited, it’s been a dream since I was seven to play AFL footy, and this opportunity gives me a great chance to fulfill that.”

“I have been training with GWS for a while now and it’s such a privilege to work under the likes of Alan McConnell and Kevin Sheedy. Everyone there is very friendly and they take the time to talk to you about anything.”

“I can’t believe it, I have been given an opportunity to do something that I love and now I can focus on my footy and hopefully develop as a player for the future.”

Team GWS will have the capacity to primary list Turner at the end of 2012, giving him the opportunity of joining Josh Bruce as one of few players to graduate from the club’s inaugural TAC Cup side.

“Going down to Melbourne to play my first TAC game just made me want this more, and now I have the opportunity to put that into action and hopefully reward GWS with the faith they have showed in me.”

Team GWS High Performance Manager Alan McConnell said that he was looking forward to working with Turner over the next two years.

“We’re very pleased to have him on board with Team GWS, and it’s an exciting opportunity for him as a player.”

“Stuart is a fine young man who comes from an enthusiastic family and support network who enjoy supporting him and watching him play.”

“He’s still overcoming a foot injury, however has been improving throughout the year and I am sure he will continue to develop in the future.”

Turner is currently completing year ten at Norwest Christian College, and lives at home with his parents and sister Montana in Castle Hill.

The club’s medical staff hopes that he will be able to play in the final round of the TAC Cup in August.

Victor P Taffa

The Keneally Government must come clean on the need to build the Tillegra Dam. The same level of excuses was trotted out for the Desalination Plant in Sydney.

Coffs Harbour residents suffered five floods in 2009 and yet in an area bigger than Sydney Harbour the residents of the Hunter Region are having an expensive Dam foisted upon them.

How absolutely essential is the Tillegra Dam for future water needs? Will the Tillegra Dam stop Coffs Harbour from flooding again?

What action is the New South Wales Government to breathe life into the ailing Murray River?

The Government has gone ‘Mum’ on the Tillegra Dam and yet Water Bills are being ‘Jacked Up’ as we speak.

According to Charmaine Crowe Policy Coordinator of the CPSA “Pensioners and other low-income households in the Hunter are furious that they’re paying for the construction of the Tillegra Dam that hasn’t even been approved.”

“The cost of the Tillegra Dam is already being retrieved through water bills, which will increase bills by 40% over three years.”

“Even with the pensioner water rebate, pensioners using 200 KL a year will pay over $800 per year for water in 2012/13 – almost double the average 2008/09 bill of $489.”

“Part of the massive price rises are because of the huge cost of the Tillegra Dam, currently running at $477 million.” CPSA Policy Coordinator Charmaine Crowe said.

Premier Keneally should either rule the Tillegra Dam in or out NOW or give the residents’ of the Hunter some piece of mind and certainty.

Furthermore the Water Rate Hikes must STOP NOW if the Tillegra Dam is to be canned.

New South Wales Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat

NSW Auditor-General, Peter Achterstraat, releases his report –

State Investment in V8 Supercar Races at Sydney Olympic Park

Victor P Taffa

The Auditor-General, Mr Peter Achterstraat, today released his report on the Government’s investment in the V8 supercar races at Sydney Olympic Park.

“The V8 Supercars race at Homebush Bay was managed well on the day and by all reports the spectators enjoyed themselves. But a good day out is not the same as a good deal.” Mr. Achterstraat said.

The Government’s negotiating position was weakened by public reports in July 2008 about the Government’s in-principle support for the event at Sydney Olympic Park. It was not until ten months later, the Government and the promoter negotiated an agreement.

“Negotiate first, announce second – not the other way around.” Mr. Achterstraat said.

“Initial advice to Cabinet in June 2008 was based on limited analysis and consideration of options.” Mr. Achterstraat said.

The V8 major event is not a financial success for the Government.

“The five races are estimated to cost $10 Million more than planned and provide nearly 25% fewer benefits than expected.” Mr. Achterstraat said.

“This is one major event that we can learn from.” Mr. Achterstraat said.

Government involvement in major events in New South Wales needs to be better managed. Experts such as Events NSW should be used and proper business cases should be prepared.

“The Government should get the best possible advice from its experts on assessing and negotiating major event proposals.” Mr. Achterstraat said.

“There needs to be a more consistent and accurate costing of events by all agencies, and detailed reporting on major event performance.” Mr. Achterstraat said.

Mr Achterstraat summarised the report by stating:

“NSW needs major events to help attract tourism and investment. Negotiation and subsequent management of those events needs to be done with the benefit of the NSW taxpayer in mind. A clear direction, and an agreed set of guidelines, must be developed for major events in NSW.” 

Supporting Data from Report

Government agency costs (in addition to the $26.5 million paid to V8 Supercars Australia)

Notes:     

^a from Budget Impact Statement of September 2008

^b based on recent advice from agencies and including invoiced and in-kind costs

^c trains, buses and co-ordination

 ^d transport costs are net of the transport subsidy of approximately $720,000 per annum paid by V8 Supercars   Australia.

Estimates of direct expenditure by visitors attending the first supercar race

Source: State Development economic analysis

Event Key Performance Indicators (KPI) 

Note: * This figure is for individual attendees over the three days of races. It is not the figure for their multiple attendances over the three days, which was estimated to be 151,000.

New South Wales Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner

MORE LABOR HEALTH FAILURE: CANCER PATIENTS LEFT OFF WAITING LISTS, TREATMENT DELAYED

Victor P Taffa

Labor Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt’s admission her new surgery booking system for Westmead Hospital has failed is yet another reason for families to vote out this incompetent Keneally Labor Government in March, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

“After 15 years in office, the incompetent Keneally Labor Government and Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt can’t even get a surgery booking system right – how can they pretend they know how to run the entire health system.” Mrs Skinner said.

“Surgeons report cancer patients have suffered needlessly because of Labor’s incompetence by not having their operations done as soon as possible.”

“Patient care is being compromised because of Keneally Labor Government incompetence.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“This latest health bungle has all the usual Labor ingredients: overly bureaucratic processes, ignoring concerns from frontline surgeons, botching straightforward procedures and making waiting list figures appear smaller than they actually are.”

“The Keneally Labor Government claims everything will be fixed when ‘new’ Federal funds become available in July – the rest of us suspect nothing will change.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“Kristina Keneally is all lights, camera but no action – and her incompetent Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt is just more of the same.”

“NSW has now had six Health Ministers in just five years – no wonder the NSW health system is in a mess.”

“The Keneally Labor Government needs to rectify this booking bungle as a matter of urgency so no more cancer patients suffer painful delays.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“Failure to do so will simply confirm that nothing has changed.”

“Nothing in NSW will change until there is a change of government in NSW.”

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals are committed to change and making NSW number one again.” Mrs Skinner said.

The Federal Takeover of Hospitals will not change the day-to-day running of Hospitals and will not shorten waiting lists.

Initially the Rudd Government will announce a reduction in waiting times however more likely than not will simply be an accounting transfer procedure.

The question that should be asked of the Rudd Government is with a Federal Takeover of Hospitals will mean that State Government’s will not require Health Minister’s?

New South Wales Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner

KENEALLY LABOR GOVERNMENT FAILS TO CLOSE THE GAP ON ABORIGINAL HEALTH

Victor P Taffa

Despite signing the Close The Gap agreement in Parliament a week ago, Premier Kristina Keneally was unable to explain in Question Time why she underspent the Aboriginal Health Budget last year and failed to meet key health performance indicators, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

Budget Papers reveal the Aboriginal Health Services budget was underspent by $4.6 Million.

Meanwhile, the target to reduce potentially avoidable deaths for Aboriginal people aged <75 to 341 persons per 100,000 of population was not met.

“Kristina Keneally was unable to explain why she failed to spend the allocation given to Aboriginal Health while at the same time failing to meet targets to reduce unnecessary deaths in Aboriginal persons.” Mrs Skinner said.

“It’s one thing to sign the Close The Gap agreement, but it’s another to actually follow through with action.”

“As usual Kristina Keneally is there for the photo opportunity, but has failed when it comes to delivering better health services and better health outcomes.”

“Kristina Keneally is all lights, camera, but no action.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“The fact the Keneally Labor Government failed to meet its targets for potentially avoidable Aboriginal deaths and didn’t spend all the funds available for Aboriginal Health speaks volumes about Labor’s incompetence.”

“It is disingenuous of Kristina Keneally to pretend she is concerned about Aboriginal Health and then fail to spend the funds available in the NSW Budget.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“Kristina Keneally is more concerned with her media image.”

“A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is determined to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal residents in NSW.” Mrs Skinner said.

The same lack of expenditure on Mental Health runs with that on Aboriginal Health. This is a sad indictment on a Government that has outlived its use-by date.

New South Wales Shadow Minister for Community Services Pru Goward

Government Slashes Investigatory Powers – Takes all the Soft Options

Victor P Taffa

Shadow Minister for Community Services Pru Goward today condemned the Keneally Labor Government’s 2010/11 Budget for cutting funds to the areas of child protection where it is most needed and for refusing to do the hard yards in Child Protection.

The budget will damage both the investigatory capabilities of Community Services and its early intervention and prevention services.

“The ratio of children in Out Of Home Care (OOHC) in NSW has increased year after year. In 2006 it was 6.7 children out of every 1,000, it is now 10.2. It is almost certain that it will rise again this year.” Ms. Goward said.

“This increase will not stop until the Keneally Labor Government begins to do the hard yards and link families at risk with the vital services they need to remain a viable family.”

“Our rate is substantially higher than any other Australian jurisdiction. The price borne by the children of this state who have been unnecessarily removed is incalculable.” Ms. Goward said.

“Whilst OOHC expenditure blows out, other areas are suffering, like statutory child protection funding, which has dropped by $12.7 M.”

“The Wood Commission recognised Community Services was already failing to meet its statutory obligations when it came to investigating reports of children at risk-of-harm, now we see the Keneally Labor Government slashing this capability further.”

“Wood found that only 13% of reports to DoCS were investigated face-to-face. By cutting their protection budget the Keneally Labor Government seems determined to reduce its investigations even further.” Ms. Goward said.

“It has been shown time and time again that the best way to fix a family is to work with them and link them up with the services they need. Not to take the simple option of just removing children.”

“No one except Minister Burney would seriously believe that more than 1% of NSW families need to be torn apart. However, this just continues the Minister’s history and shows why she was so keen to immediately oppose my mandatory care contracts Bill that would have forced the department to give more attention to the needs of families in crisis.” Ms. Goward said.

New South Wales Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner

Labor Abandon Medical Research

Victor P Taffa

The State Budget has revealed the Keneally Labor Government has abandoned the ongoing support of vital medical research, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

Buried in the Budget Estimates documents (7 – 36) it is revealed the Science and Medical Research Policy and Industry Innovation Group had its budget cut from $55.3 Million to $47.1 Million.  

Medical Research Support grants have been slashed from $26.6 Million to $18.9 Million.

“The Keneally Labor Government is cutting medical research at a time when new breakthroughs are more important than ever.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“We need to be on the cutting edge of medical research in NSW, we need to be number one again.”

“Medical technology is advancing at a rapid rate, and NSW cannot afford to fall behind if we want to deliver world leading patient care in our public hospitals.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“It just shows how out of touch the Keneally Labor Government has become, they routinely ignore expert medical advice.”

“The Keneally Labor Government simply has the wrong priorities it’s just more of the same failure and incompetence.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to delivering better patient care in our public hospitals and across the NSW health system.” Mrs. Skinner said.

“We understand the value of medical research in ensuring new advances and treatment are available to patients in NSW.”

“A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will deliver strong ideas to make NSW number one again.” Mrs. Skinner said.

Along with the reintroduction of Hospital Boards that would be financially accountable to State Parliament the Medicare Levy should be increases to 2.5% with the increase going directly into Medical Research. 

New South Wales Shadow Treasurer and Manly MP Mike Baird

MEMO TO RTA: DON’T TELL US ABOUT THE TRAFFIC, FIX IT!

Victor P Taffa

The RTA plans to spend around $400,000 installing a huge sign in Seaforth to advise motorists there is traffic ahead despite there being no alternate route to avoid the traffic, Manly MP Mike Baird said today.

“This is a crazy idea – we don’t need the RTA to spend several thousand dollars telling us there’s traffic on the Spit – we get that – spend the money fixing the problem instead.” Mr. Baird said.

This week the RTA informed residents on Thursday 24 June it would start building a Permanent Variable Message Sign between 72 and 74 Frenchs Forest Road Seaforth, which would be due for completion by late August 2010.

“This enormous sign will span across two traffic lanes in suburban Seaforth and will cost several thousand dollars to tell motorists what they already know.”

“I will be calling on the Minister for Roads in Parliament next week to immediately halt plans to construct this sign and consider diverting the funds to fixing the traffic bottleneck at Seaforth roundabout.” Mr. Baird said.

“Once again the RTA has failed to consult the community on a proposal that is at best tinkering around the edges and at worst a complete waste of money.”

“If you’re travelling on Frenchs Forest Road to the city you can’t avoid the Spit Bridge so what is the point in a sign telling you there’s traffic on the Spit?”

“The RTA needs to demonstrate how this sign will help motorists and how it will alleviate traffic congestion before the taxpayer funds are spent.” Mr. Baird said.

“Several local residents have contacted my office this week expressing their bewilderment that the RTA would proceed with this sign in the absence of an alternate route.”

“We are appealing to the RTA’s commonsense – spend the money fixing the problem, not on a sign stating the obvious.” Mr. Baird said.

Member for Manly Mike Baird is right on the money on this issue. During the halcyon days of the Wran Government then Roads Minister Laurie Brereton went around New South Wales putting up sign on the roads trumpeting the achievements of the Government which the signs also carried his signature. This idea of road signage must come straight out of the same manual.

Should the Keneally Government consider that the 26.1% swing in the Penrith By-Election was a blip then it will only be a matter of time before the Government is roundly defeated on 26 March 2011.

Victor P Taffa

Hannah Grace Fazal entered the world at 7.15 am Friday 18 June 2010. Hannah weighed in at 4 Kg or 9 lb with mother Julianne giving birth at Royal North Shore Private Hospital by caesarian section.

Editor Victor P Taffa is an uncle for the third time following the arrivals of Zoe and Emily. Mother and baby are well and Uncle Victor is thrilled at the news.

Hannah Grace Fazal

New South Wales Electoral Commission

List of Candidates as Per Ballot Paper

Victor P Taffa

THAIN, John                                     LABOR                                                            8,200

WRIGHT, Suzie                                 THE GREENS                                                4,221

SAUNDERS, Mick                                                                                                        724

AYRES, Stuart                                 LIBERAL                                                         17,067

LEYONHJELM, David                     OUTDOOR RECREATION PARTY               648

SANZ, Jose                                         AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS                         297

GREEN, Andrew                               CDP (FRED NILE GROUP)                         1,516

SELBY, Noel                                                 INDEPENDENT                                    884

Liberal Candidate Stuart Ayres has polled 17,067 votes to win the Penrith By-Election on First Preference votes.

TWO CANDIDATE PREFFERED BY-ELECTION 19 JUNE 2010

Liberal 66.3%

Labor 33.7%

TWO CANDIDATE PREFFERED GENERAL ELECTION 2007

Liberal 40.75%

Labor 59.25%

Stuart Ayres Liberal Candidate