(letter to the editor, published October 29, SMH)

The sudden axing of the 60¢ gross feed-in tariff at midnight last Wednesday was another low point in the sorry saga of energy policy in Australia these days.

We should all feel sorry for the solar installers trying to establish their business with these ‘hot and cold’ government decisions.

Who is doing the research behind government policy? Every time either the Federal or State government introduces a scheme that encourages people to move to solar, they seem unprepared for the enthusiastic community support. (more…)

Barry O’Farrell’s Coalition is the big winner in the new funding system, not the Greens, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: “Mr O’Farrell accuses the Greens of having sold out for a fist full of dollars but we will obtain the smallest percentage increase in public funding of any party represented in parliament.

“His Coalition partners the Nationals will see a 260 percent increase in their funding, while the Liberals will gain by 200 percent above the existing funding arrangements.

“The Greens are way behind with just a 100 percent increase. Even Labor at 127 per cent and the Christian Democrats at 180 percent do relatively
better than us. (more…)

The Australian Greens continue to stand up for the future of the Murray-Darling river system, but are concerned at the lack of will and leadership from other parties that is threatening that future, according to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on the Murray-Darling Basin, says the Water Act was designed to establish an independent authority with the power to achieve vital, permanent reform of water use that will enable us to save the Basin.

“But now we see the Government running away from reform, the Coalition slamming the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and the Authority, which is supposed to be independent, second-guessing its own guide to the draft plan,'’ Senator Hanson-Young said.

“We know these water reforms are essential if we are to have a chance of saving the river system, and to keep it sustainable. But because of the short-term political posturing of some people, we are jeopardising the whole process of reform. (more…)

Negotiations between the Greens and the Keneally government have produced an election funding and donations reform package that will significantly reduce the impacts of big money on politics in this state, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: “The final package is far from perfect but it is much better than the current laws. It creates a starting point for driving money politics out of NSW.

“It can now pass through the Upper House with the combined votes of Labor and the Greens who together can form a majority.

“We spoke to the Coalition but there was little progress that could be made with parties that are expecting a flood of corporate donations for the March 2011 election.

“The outcome is a big step forward but we were unable to convince Labor on a ban on all corporate donations, smaller caps on expenditure and a
more effective model for restricting third parties. (more…)

NSW Aboriginal Land Councillors will for the first time have the same opportunity as local government councillors to stand for election to the NSW Local Government Association, following an amendment moved by Cessnock Greens Councillor James Ryan at the Local Government
Conference in Albury.

“The NSW Aboriginal Land Council have been full members of the Local Government Association for many years but were prevented from being
elected to the Executive Committee by the LGA Constitution”, said Councillor Ryan.

“The NSW Aboriginal Land Councils have long been members of this Association, they pay their fees and it is high time they had the right to be  elected to the Executive Committee.’

“It reflects well on the LGA that the Motion was unanimously supported,” Councillor Ryan said. (more…)

(published in the Queanbeyan Age 22 October 2010)

The Greens candidate for Monaro Paul Cockram reckons that NSW clubs have hit the jackpot with the Coalition.

“Opposition leader Barry O’Farrell, with Nationals Monaro candidate John Barilaro in his shadow, have announced their policy to take $300 million out of community services and hailed this as good news for the people of New South Wales.”

“They must think we’re all a mob of mug punters,” said Paul Cockram.

“How can we be expected to believe that this sudden concern for the welfare of clubs is not related to the recent shift in political donations from Labor to the Coalition?”

“Providing basic services to the whole community is the job of responsible government. Clubs are businesses and as such pay tax, especially on the money that’s put straight into the pokies.

“Giving this money back to clubs and allowing them to decide which sections of the community are deserving of support is appalling administration and a clear indication of just how ill-prepared the Coalition is to take over government in NSW,” said Paul. (more…)

In response to community opposition across NSW to planning powers that remove planning decisions from local councils, Greens NSW MP and Planning spokesperson David Shoebridge today gave notice of a Bill to repeal Part 3A of the planning law.

“Communities across NSW have lost faith in our planning system,” Mr Shoebridge said.

“By putting a Bill into Parliament to repeal Part 3A, The Greens are giving both the Government and the Opposition an opportunity to respond to community concerns and give planning powers back to local councils.

“Both parties spend a lot more time listening to developers than communities, and that’s clearly why they both supported Part 3A in the first place. (more…)

The Greens in Monaro (comprising Braidwood and Queanbeyan-Monaro local groups) have endorsed Paul Cockram as their candidate for the 2011 NSW State Election.

Paul is a councillor on Palerang Council and had previously announced his intention to run as an Independent.

Catherine Moore, who has stood in Monaro for The Greens at the 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007 State Elections, and most recently was The Greens’ candidate for Eden-Monaro in the 2010 Federal Election says, “We are very pleased that Paul has made the decision to join The Greens and run as our candidate.

“Paul has energy and commitment and I have great confidence in his ability to further The Greens’ policies in Monaro.

“The Greens stand candidates in all seats and with Paul’s focus on environment and social justice issues it made sense for us to join forces and campaign together, rather than against each other.” (more…)

A Greens motion for better state concessions for seniors passed in the Upper House of Victorian Parliament last night with the support of all MPs in front of a packed public gallery of seniors group members.

“My motion called for a review to see whether concessions are sufficient to make basic services like housing and utilities affordable for seniors, because that’s what the concessions are meant to be doing, but in my view they are failing.”

“The Municipal Rates Concession is presently fixed at 50% of council rates, to a maximum of $184, which would be some sort of joke if it wasn’t so serious.  If the government can find me a local council where there are council rates of less than $368 per year on a property with a house, I will be very surprised.”

“My rates in West Footscray are about $1,600 per year.  If I were a senior citizen on a pension, who had lived in that house since West Footscray was
a much more affordable working-class suburb, I would be faced with the decision of whether to move house or whether to eat.  And that is absolutely shameful.” (more…)

The release of the latest NSW political donation figures shows that an O’Farrell government would come to office carrying the same baggage from
big end of town that compromised its predecessor, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: “The fortunes of the major parties may shift but the culture of donations remains unchanged in NSW.

“The business community has swapped horses in the lead up to the March 2011 state election.  In the second half of 2009, the ALP declared taking $2.5 million and the Coalition $1.9 million.

“In the first half of 2010, the numbers almost swapped with the Coalition declaring $2.5 million while the ALP received $1.8 million. (more…)