Penny Sharpe's blog

The O'Farrell Government looks set to dump ethics classes as part of a deal with the Christian Democrats – and has referred a Bill to repeal the popular classes to a parliamentary committee instead of opposing it. 

"The O'Farrell Government today confirmed it is considering repealing ethics classes in NSW public schools," Opposition Leader John Robertson said.

"Instead of voting down Reverend Nile's Bill to repeal ethics classes, the O'Farrell Government voted for it to be considered further by a parliamentary committee.

Opposition Leader John Robertson is calling on the Government to suspend all current Coal Seam Gas exploration licenses to protect the State's precious water resources.

"Coal Seam Gas has the potential to damage our drinking water and compromise food security," said Mr Robertson.

"The Government must immediately suspend all Coal Seam Gas exploration licenses before irreparable damage is caused to ground water and aquifers.

"The NSW Opposition is also calling on the Government to cease issuing Coal Seam Gas extraction licenses and refuse any applications to expand existing operations.

This afternoon, Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian released another media release about me.

The Minister seems a little sensitive, perhaps she is embarrassed she wasn't aware of the modelling done by treasury and railcorp about the NWRL, was too quick to beat up on the union on the day of the bus strike, and perhaps it has slipped her mind that it was her Government who recently amended the transport act to downgrade the priority of passengers over freight...

This morning I awoke to find 43 unread emails about the issue of access to homebirth for Australian women on my blackberry.  By the time I was on the train into the office this had grown to nearly 100 and continues to grow. This campaign, although worthy *, is a text book example of what not to do to get the attention of an MP on a given issue and expect them to take some positive action on your behalf.

Having spoken to a number of my colleagues this morning who have also received these exact same emails, here are 5 tips on how to lobby MPs and not be ignored**

Tip #1: If you are going to send emails, include where you live.

The O'Farrell Government is planning to cut tens of thousands of jobs across the State as part of the September budget - ripping the guts out of local health, education and emergency services.  

"The O'Farrell Government has flagged it plans to cut tens of thousands of jobs in health, primary industries, education and emergency services," Opposition Leader John Robertson said.  

"Cutting tens of thousands of job cuts will rip the guts out of healthcare, education, the Police Force and other vital services in NSW.

"The Premier has put word out of up to 80,000 job cuts to soften the ground for when the final figure comes in at less than that.