NSW Nationals Chairman Christine Ferguson

NSW Nationals Chairman pays tribute to Russell Turner

Victor P Taffa

The Chairman of the NSW Nationals, Christine Ferguson today paid tribute to State Member for Orange, Russell Turner MP, who has announced that he will not be contesting the 2011 State Election.

“Russell served on Orange City Council before being elected to Parliament in 1996, so has been fighting hard for the region for many more than the 14 years since becoming the Member for Orange.” Mrs. Ferguson said.

“Having moved his family from Sydney to Orange, Russell has been a strong advocate for the lifestyle that regional NSW has to offer; a belief firmly shared by The Nationals.”

“Russell has never been afraid to stand up for what he believes in or to put the needs of the people of his electorate first, and the courage of his convictions has made him an extremely effective and successful local member.”

“On behalf of The Nationals, I thank Russell for his dedication and hard work.”

“Life in politics is difficult and often there are sacrifices that must be made by a Member’s family, so I would like to thank Russell’s wife Diane for her good grace and support over the past 14 years, and that of their children’ as well.”

“We wish them all the best for the future.” Mrs. Ferguson said.

State Director, Ben Franklin said that nominations for preselection for the seat of Orange would open shortly and anyone interested in nominating should contact Head Office on (02) 9299 5811.

 

 

VICTOR P TAFFA FOR NEWCASTLE 26 MARCH 2011

*Construct rail over/underpasses where appropriate

Victor P Taffa Media Release

www.southernthunderer.com.au

www.isput.com.au

Newcastle has been split by a divisive, debilitating debate on the future of the Railway and an air of instability stands over the future of development in the city.

Today I announce my candidacy for the 26 March 2011election for the State seat of Newcastle. My key focus of the campaign will be to reunite Newcastle and focus on the great aspects the city has to offer and how we can go forward with the railway operating into the central business district long into the 2050’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The decision to contest the seat of Newcastle also means that the people who have voted for me in three elections will have to shift allegiances elsewhere. So as not to feel left out my supporters will be able to visit Newcastle by car or train to assist my campaign if they so wish. Naturally as the Member for Newcastle travel to Sydney is required along with visits to my close knit family.

The Labor Party has only itself to blame for dividing Newcastle. Removing railway level crossings has created congestion and tension amongst fellow novocastrians. The crossing issue also affects Warnervale and other parts of the Northern railway line throughout the Central Coast.

When sitting MP Bryce Gaudry was disendorsed by the National Executive of the Labor Party by a margin of 13-7 in 2007 it demonstrated how out of touch a once great party has become. Led by then President Mike Rann MP the executive proceeded to expel the 55 strong Carrington Branch which included returned serviceman and 20 year Newcastle State MP Arthur Wade (1968-88.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The campaign will include the following:

 

• Retention of the Newcastle Railway

 

• Reinstate railway level crossings

 

• Construct railway over/underpasses where appropriate

 

• Build stabling facilities at Broadmeadow for all trains

 

• Construct a new station called Harbourlink between Civic and Newcastle

 

• Enhance and expand the ferry service

 

• Encourage development of Newcastle

 

• Restaurant/lounge carriage for every New South Wales passenger train 

 

Working with neighbouring MP’s to achieve the following:

 

• Lengthen all Central Coast Station platforms (except Wondabyne)

 

• Retain Wallsend Hospital in public hands and upgrade facilities

 

• Construct the Glendale Interchange

 

• Construct lifts for Cardiff Station

 

• Install traffic signals at Main Road/ Harrison Street Cardiff

 

• Stop the Tillegra Dam

 

• Work with Local Government to improve bus waiting shelters and sporting facilities

 

• Passenger rail services reintroduced to Cessnock as contained in www.isput.com.au

 

• Should the Branxton expressway proceed the carriageways need to be divided by a railway as is the case in Perth, Western Australia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newcastle deserves better than the second rate manner in which it has been treated by the Labor Party. No major city can move forward while residents are pitted against each other over a railway line. Labor has taken Newcastle for granted and as the elected member I will give the people the representation that they are entitled to.

New South Wales and Newcastle needs new faces and a new Government.

Victor P Taffa is a member of the NSW National Party and looks forward to working closely with others seeking a change from the inertia that has paralysed this State for a long time.

On 26 March 2011, VOTE 1  VICTOR P TAFFA FOR NEWCASTLE

 

 

Railway restaurant/lounge carriages:

For time poor commuters whether it is early morning or late at night people should be able to purchase a food item.

 

• Restaurant/lounge carriages would be included on every train. Passengers will be able to purchase food and beverages and consumed within the same carriage. By utilising a whole carriage passengers can sit and relax on lounge style seating so that the other carriages are maintained in their present format and thus enable laws relating to the consumption of food and beverages on a train remains unaltered.

 

• Restaurant /lounge carriages would be leased to independent operators and would only relate to the provision of food and beverages.

 

• Every railway depot could have a different provider of the food and beverage operation. Ownership of the carriages will remain with RailCorp.

 

Media enquiries: Victor P Taffa

Mob: 0416 134 650

Email: editor@southernthunderer.com.au  

 

 

 

 

 

New South Wales Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird

SMALL BUSINESS GIVES KENEALLY THE THUMBS DOWN: SURVEY

Victor P Taffa

Despite a shift in confidence in the national economy, a survey of small and medium business has given the big thumbs down to Kristina Keneally and her incompetent Labor Government, Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird said today.

The March Sensis Small Business survey release this morning shows support for State Labor Government policies have plunged 12% quarter on quarter and remain the lowest in the country. Just 3% of small businesses are supportive of Kristina Keneally’s Labor Government.

The NSW Labor Government has recorded the lowest levels of support from small businesses for 23 of the last 24 quarters, the report says.

It states: “A view among SMEs (small to medium enterprises) was there was too much bureaucracy; concerns about payroll tax; and a feeling they did not know what the NSW Government was doing were the key reasons given by SMEs for feeling the Government in New South Wales was not supportive of small business.”

“It’s time the State Labor Government got off the backs of small business and started supporting this vital sector of the NSW economy,” Mr Baird said.

“That’s why the NSW Liberals & Nationals have been pushing for a cut of up to 20% in payroll tax to drive jobs and growth.” Mr. Baird said.

“Around two-thirds of the State’s employees work in companies that are levied payroll tax.”

“The NSW Labor Government’s incompetence has been holding this State back. For example, unemployment is above the national average and the tax take is the second highest in Australia, yet we don’t have the first class infrastructure to show it.”

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals want to harness the small business sector and unleash its potential to help turn this State around.” Mr Baird said.

 

New South Wales Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird

MUMS DEPRIVED OF OXYGEN AT MANLY HOSPITAL: DOCTORS AND NURSES NEED SUPPORT

Victor P Taffa

Local mums about to give birth were turned away from Manly Hospital on the weekend, after the medical air system that supplies oxygen for caesarean births broke down, Manly MP Mike Baird said.

“I received a call from an anxious mum on Monday morning who couldn’t believe it when the machine that supplied oxygen for her daughter’s caesarean delivery failed and couldn’t be replaced.” Mr. Baird said.

“It is beyond words that several expectant mums had to be transferred to Royal North Shore at the last minute, because Manly Hospital couldn’t supply oxygen for their deliveries.”

“There’s no doubt that patients, doctors and nurses are suffering as the State Labor Government runs Manly Hospital into the ground.”

“How can a hospital operate when basic supplies like oxygen are not available to patients?” Mr. Baird asked.

“Time and again I hear how incredible the nurses and doctors are at Manly Hospital and how challenging it is to care for patients due to constant cost cutting.”

“Manly Hospital has operated under a cloud for too long, as the NSW Government fails to deliver on its promise to build a new Northern Beaches Hospital.”

“Back in 2006 the doctors and nurses at Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals wrote to the then Health Minister saying they were excited about the new hospital and the high standard of care it would offer patients.”

“Four years later not a sod has been turned and meanwhile Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals are being starved of resources.”

“We have made a commitment that the new Northern Beaches Hospital will be built, should we be elected next year.” Mr. Baird said.

“Local mums-to-be deserve the peace of mind of knowing that if they are booked into Manly Hospital, that is where they’ll deliver their baby.”

Given the announcement by the Rudd Government over hospital funding cutbacks a new Northern Beaches Hospital can’t come soon enough.

 

 

 

New South Wales Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird

A WORLD CLASS CONVENTION CENTRE FOR SYDNEY: NSW LIBS & NATS TO START IT NOW

Victor P Taffa

A NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will build a world class convention and exhibition centre in Sydney as part of its plan to drive the State’s economy forward and intends to start the process immediately, NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell announced today.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals understand the value conventions and exhibitions bring the State’s economy.” Mr O’Farrell said.

“Conventions and exhibitions provide jobs and boost the economy as the visitors eat, drink, sightsee and play.” Mr. O’ Farrell said.

“This announcement is another demonstration of the NSW Liberals & Nationals determination to restore economic growth to NSW by creating jobs and opportunities for the people across the State.”

To ensure construction can start as soon as possible after the State election, the NSW Liberals & Nationals will begin the process immediately by:

• Commencing an independent feasibility study on a new convention centre;

 

• Releasing ‘shadow’ Expressions of Interest so that the formal tendering process can be accelerated in Government;

 

• Appointing a three-person Sydney Conference Facility Expert Panel to oversee the initial procurement stages; 

 

A range of industry groups including Sydney Business Chamber, Property Council of Australia, Tourism Transport Forum, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia and Australian Tourism Export Council will oversee the independent feasibility study.

“The challenges facing NSW are large and the NSW Liberals & Nationals are determined to hit to the ground running.” Mr O’Farrell said.

“I acknowledge starting the process from Opposition is unusual, but it simply reflects the fact we are determined about starting the work to improve this State from the moment we’re elected should we be successful at next year’s election.” Mr. O’ Farrell said.

Shadow Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Major Events George Souris said just last week Sydney missed out on a United Nations conference involving 90 countries and 1,200 delegates that went to Melbourne instead.

“There is clear evidence that Sydney is missing opportunities to host major international conferences and events:

 

• Between 1997 and 2007 Sydney dropped from Number 1 to Number 8 on the International Congress and Convention Association rankings for association meetings.

 

• It is estimated that Sydney’s convention and exhibition industry is losing the financial equivalent of one Rugby World Cup every year due to a lack of convention and exhibition facilities

 

• The under-provision of convention and exhibition facilities will cost Sydney $477 Million in economic activity and 3037 jobs each year.

 

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals will not prescribe sites to be considered, that will be up to the Sydney Conference Facility Expert Panel,” Mr Souris said.

Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird said the feasibility study would also identify an appropriate funding model and impact on the NSW Government finances. The feasibility study will be completed by the second half of 2010.

“Tourism and conventions are a major economic boost to this State.” Mr Baird said.

“It is estimated that a six-day international conference for approximately 2,000 delegates contributes an average $9 Million to the economy.” Mr. Baird said.

“With the NSW economy limping as one of the poorest performers in the country, conventions and exhibitions could and should provide a shot in the State’s financial arm.”

 

NSW Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird

NSW GOVERNMENT MAY CELEBRATE, BUT BUSINESS WILL FLEE

Victor P Taffa

The State Labor Government is deluding itself if it thinks the private sector is confident to invest in NSW following the Rozelle Metro debacle, Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird said today.

“While there was a rise in private sector investment from September to December last year, business confidence in NSW is completely shot to pieces following the shambles of the Rozelle Metro project.” Mr Baird said.

“Any new green shoots the Premier and Treasurer are celebrating have been well and truly scorched by the Rozelle Metro debacle.” Mr. Baird said.

“Businesses were rightly cynical that the State Labor Government would ever deliver on the Rozelle Metro so they demanded a written assurance it would go ahead.

“Even with this written assurance, the project ended up being nothing more than another hollow promise that will now cost taxpayers upwards of $330 Million.”

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia said the promising then axing of the Rozelle Metro project “shreds the credibility of the government in delivering projects and will likely make it much harder to attract investment and skills” [1].

The Sydney Business Chamber said: “Over a decade the government has released… $100 billion in projects that have never seen the light of day” [2].

The Australian Constructors Association president Wal King told the Sydney Morning Herald on 12 February: “If it’s not built the industry is going to have a serious issue with this government”.

“Eric Roozendaal and Kristina Keneally are living in a parallel universe if they think NSW is leading the economic recovery.” Mr Baird said.

“We have the highest unemployment rate in the nation and we have had the lowest business confidence in the country for the past six years.

“Investment in NSW will be undermined while the State Labor Government continues to announce unplanned and unfunded projects that are never delivered.” Mr Baird said.

The issue that the Keneally Government would have the public forget is the list of cancelled railway expansion projects dating back to 1995.

15 years is long enough to fool the public and the current State Government cannot be trusted to deliver after so many failures.

[1] ‘NSW taxpayers hit after CBD Metro project shelved’, The Australian 21-2-10

[2] ‘NSW taxpayers hit after CBD Metro project shelved’, The Australian 21-2-10

 

 

NSW Shadow Minister for Small Business Don Page

Member for Ballina continues to fight for Mobile Breast Screen Vans

Victor P Taffa

Ballina MP, Don Page, has submitted a petition to the NSW Parliament containing over 1300 signatures of local people opposed to the removal of Mobile Breast Screening on the Far North Coast.

The terms of the Petition brought to the NSW Labor Governments attention –

That the Mobile Breast Screen Units have been removed from many areas of the North Coast Area Health Service; this removal is disadvantaging women in these areas and reducing their chances of an early diagnosis of Breast Cancer due to the difficulty experienced in trying to get to a fixed screening unit; an early diagnosis greatly increases a woman’s chance of survival; and already less than 50% of eligible women are being screened.

Mr Page said it was important to keep the campaign for reinstatement of the mobile breast screening vans active because it would save lives.

“I’ve raised the issue many times in Parliament and I will continue to put this important issue before the State Labor Government.” Mr. Page said.

The issue was first raised by Mr Page in March last year and the campaign to have the mobile service returned has been growing ever since.

“My office is consistently contacted by concerned residents who can no longer access the mobile breast screen service. Many of them have difficulty accessing the fixed services in Lismore or Tweed Heads due to lack of transport, work and family commitments.” Mr Page said.

One in eight Australian women will develop breast cancer with over 12,000 women diagnosed every year.

There is a rally today in Ballina and Byron Bay to protest against the loss of the Mobile Breast Screen Vans since June 2008.

“Parliament is sitting, so unfortunately I can’t be there to support the rally today. I will be continuing to raise this issue in Parliament as I have this week.” Mr Page said.

The lack of Mobile Breast Screen Vans in the North Coast of New South Wales is an issue that should not be ignored lightly.

Over the border in Queensland Australia Post was forced to close a mailing centre when a ‘cancer cluster’ was discovered after numerous female employees were diagnosed with breast cancer recently within a short period of time.

The Federal, Bligh and Keneally Government’s are clearly not taking the issue seriously enough and the Area Health Service method of Hospital administration is only adding to the problem because decision makers who could approve additional Mobile Breast Screen Vans are too far away from the ‘coalface’ of day to day health problems.

New South Wales Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird

KENEALLY CLAIM TRANSPORT PLAN IS ‘FULLY FUNDED’ NOW IN DOUBT

Victor P Taffa

In a clear indication the State Labor Government’s latest transport plan is yet another election scam the Premier failed to explain in Parliament today how her plan is “fully funded”, Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird said today.

“Despite repeated claims to the media that her transport plan is fully funded, Kristina Keneally could not answer in Question Time today where the funds are coming from.” Mr Baird said.

“In an answer that showed an embarrassing lack of understanding of the detail, Ms Keneally did not know how much debt would be incurred or what additional taxes would be raised to pay for the plan.” Mr. Baird said.

“Once again the State Labor Government has shown it has no credibility on financial management.

“Simply saying a project is fully funded, doesn’t make it fully funded.

“Ms. Keneally must explain how she will make up her $49.5 Billion shortfall to pay for the plan – is it taxes, debt or fanciful revenue forecasts?” Mr. Baird demanded to know.

“Taxpayers are rightly sceptical this latest plan will be delivered, and Ms. Keneally’s response today does nothing to allay these concerns.”

“The State Labor Government has costed the latest North West rail link in the plan at $6.7 Billion, yet this is more than $3 Billion higher than the last Treasury costing in late 2006.”

“Until the details of all costings, debt and revenue measures that underpin Ms. Keneally’s claim of fully funded are released, the claim cannot be believed.”

“If Kristina Keneally cannot answer the very simple proposition of what role debt will play in funding this plan, how can we trust it will be delivered?”

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals have committed to starting work on the South West and North West rail links in the first term, should we be elected next year.

“We are united, we are determined and we stand in stark contrast to the rabble that parade as the State Labor Government.” Mr Baird said.

When the New South Wales Labor Government recently sold off the NSW Lotteries at a $50 Million LOSS how on earth can anyone believe Labor’s financial claims on accountability?

 

Lake Macquarie Local Area Command

Police investigating the disappearance of a Newcastle man have focused investigations on the whereabouts of his car.

27-year-old Jay Riley was last seen around 6.30pm on Monday 14 December 2009 at his home in Crocket Street, Cardiff.

Jay is described as white/European in appearance, between 174cm to 179cm tall, with a medium build, short black hair and blue eyes. He has medical conditions that require treatment and medication.

His family and friends have concerns for his safety as his disappearance is out of character. Lake Macquarie Detectives are again appealing for public information to locate Jay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their investigations are now focusing on the whereabouts of his missing blue 1991 Toyota Lexcen, with NSW registration plates AM 83 ST.

The vehicle has not been seen since Jay disappeared, despite extensive searches by local Police and detectives.

Anyone with information about Jay’s whereabouts is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Detectives on (02) 4942 9999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

All details will be treated in strict confidence.

New South Wales Ambulance Service

Flood Waters Alert

The New South Wales Ambulance Service would like remind the community of the dangers that lurk around flood waters due to heavy rain.

Recently the Service has had to attend motorists trapped in vehicles and people swept away while trying to cross torrent like flood waters. There have also been cases of children playing in dangerous waters that unfortunately have resulted in death.

The community are reminded when around or in flood waters to always assess the risk of undertaking potentially life threatening activities. Parents should also take the opportunity to remind and teach their children of the following safety messages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ambulance Service of NSW recommends:

• Do not play or undertake recreational activities in or around swollen estuaries/rivers, drains or flooded areas;

 

• When driving do not attempt to cross flooded roads or causeways.

 

• Carry some form of communication with you at all times in case you need Emergency assistance;

 

• Drive cautiously on the roads that may have been damaged by heavy rain or floods, as sides of the roads can give-way and cause a traffic hazard;

 

• Be mindful that pets need to be kept safe from flood waters as well;

 

• Take caution and do not become a victim while attempting to rescue people in trouble, instead call Triple Zero(000) and wait for emergency personnel;

 

• Always call Triple Zero (000) and ask for Ambulance for any medical emergency.