As I write this it is now Day 50 of the Barry O'Farrell Liberal/National Government. They have made much of their 100 day plan. These are some of the things I would draw
attention to:

• The "franchising" of Sydney Ferries
• Appointing Nick Greiner as the "independent" head of Infrastructure NSW
• Withdrawing support for Equal Pay for community sector workers across NSW
• Abolished the Department of Environment and Climate Change
• Halted the solar scheme and reduced payments to those already in the scheme
• A freeze on public sector workers waged including teachers, police officers, nurses and others
• Move to "harmonise" occupational health and safety legislation, taking away union rights to prosecute employers
• Opened up fishing in protected marine areas
• Extended hunting in state forests

The equal pay case for community workers is a once in a generation opportunity to pay
this workforce what they are worth. It is a fundamental test about equality for
women as well as key plank in the need to be able to recruit and retain workers
in this industry.  The decision handed down today recognised that women's
work in the community sector is undervalued. Come and show your support for the NSW government paying community sector workers what
they are worth.

Videos of the week: This weekend will celebrate 120 years of Labor achievements. The
Grand Procession will be taking place in Balmain on Saturday the 29th of May 2011 from 11.30 - all welcome. Also a lovely Irish video about how to stop homophobic bullying.

Website of the week: http://www.theglorias.com.au
Voting is now open for the most homophobic comment of the year. There are 47 nominations in 8 categories. VOTE NOW!

Regards

Penny

P.S Tuesday the 17^th of May is International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). I made a speech in the Parliament about activities happening in NSW as well as the situation of the "Kill the Gays bill" in Uganda.

What's happening in Parliament?

The first two weeks of parliament saw many new members do their inaugural speeches. Here
are the new Labor members so far:

• John Robertson, Member for Blacktown (NB
  scroll down to get to John's speech)
• Ryan Park, Member for Keira
• Clayton Barr, Member for Cessnock (NB need
  to scroll down)
• Guy Zangari, Member for Fairfield

Penny in Parliament

I asked questions about: the raising of the speed limit on the Newell Highway, benefits for NSW Police and Government advertising.

Moved a motion to support the Federal Government's moves to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products.

Lead for the opposition in relation to legislation including: the Health Services (Local Health districts and Boards) Bill, Miscellaneous (Director's Liability) Bill.

Made an adjournment speech about the 10^th anniversary of the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre and IDAHO.

Take Action

Help Sydney based asylum seekers

Some Sydney based asylum seekers have reached out and asked for help as they are they are
cold and their children are bored with nothing to occupy them. 

If people can donate items such as heaters, floor rugs, old computers, children's
electronic games and children's bicycles please contact Omid Tofighian's on omid_tofighian@yahoo.com 

Jeff Shaw Memorial Lecture

Unions NSW will be holding a Memorial Lecture in May each year in memory of Jeff Shaw
who achieved a great deal for working people during his time as NSW Attorney
General and Minister for Industrial Relations.

The inaugural Jeff Shaw Memorial Lecture will be given by the Hon. Justice Roger
Boland, President of the NSW Industrial Relations

When | Thursday, 26^th May 2011 commencing at 6.15pm
Where | Trades Hall Auditorium, 4 Goulburn St Sydney.
RSVP | To Rosa Docwra rdocwra@unionsnsw.org.au or 9881 5917 by 20^th May

Click here for the invitation.

Night Time Economy - City of Sydney Consultations

The City of Sydney is holding consultations and inviting input from local residents about how they want Sydney to function after dark.

"The City of Sydney wants to create a vibrant nightlife offering something for
everyone. You should have choices if you are heading out at night -
from a street bar with live music, to a night club to an inspiring art
exhibition or bookshop."

Have your say at http://www.sydneyyoursay.com.au/

There will
also be a number of forums that locals can attend:

• Mon 23 May - CBD / The Rocks / Pyrmont / Ultimo - 6-8pm
• Thur 26 May - Kings Cross / Potts Point / Elizabeth Bay / Woolloomooloo - 7-9pm
• Mon 30 May - Surry Hills / Darlinghurst / Paddington - 6-8pm        
• Tues 31 May - Newtown / Glebe / Darlington / Chippendale / Erskineville -
  6-8pm       
• Thur 2 June  - Redfern / Zetland / Waterloo / Alexandria / Rosebery / Green
  Square - 6-8pm

Community forums for local residents register by emailing - nighttime@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au 

 

It's Time to Fight - Rally for Equal Pay

It's important that everyone who cares about equal pay, that everyone who cares
about the work community workers do takes to the streets to FIGHT for equal
Pay.

This June 8th, rallies will be held across the state:

• Sydney - Hyde Park south 12noon
• Newcastle - 12 noon, The Tram Sheds, Newcastle Foreshore Park, Wharf Rd, Newcastle
• Lismore - 11am, Corner Carrington and Magellan St, Lismore
• Canberra - 12 noon, Outside the Legislative Assembly, London Circuit, Civic

The GLORIAs

The GLORIAs - Gay & Lesbian, Outrageous, Ridiculous & Ignorant comment Awards - are
an annual event that shines a light on outrageous, ignorant and ridiculous
comments made about our GLBTI citizens every day.

Vote for comments online to decide finalists in the categories Law, Media,
Online/Miscellaneous, Politics, Religion, Silliest GLBTI from within GLBTI
community & Sport and International. Voting is now open and will close at
5pm, Friday 3^rd June.

The GLORIAs will culminate in an awards dinner at NSW Parliament House

When | 6.30pm, 3 June 2011
Where | NSW Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney
Cost | $130 includes 3 course meal and drinks
RSVP |Online at http://www.theglorias.com.au/
More Information | 9230 2741 or info@theglorias.com.au

Working Australia Census

Australian unions have launched the biggest ever survey of workers in Australia's history.
This is your chance to have a say on the challenges in today's workplace and to
say what's important to you.

The census can be completed online at http://www.workingaustralia.org.au/

Quote of the Week

The Liberal Party have a new member in the Legislative Council called Peter Phelps. He has
shown himself to have many interesting views.

This was
actually a bill on the Torrens Assurance Levy however Mr Phelps makes his views
known about climate change:

"I foresee a future where, for example, perhaps dragons are made
responsible for global warming. I think government could well fund in the
future a $10 million draconian research institute, whereby peer-approved papers
could be produced which would demonstrate that dragons are responsible for
global warming. That could then lead to a United Nations independent committee
on dragon activities, where no doubt levies would be expected-

I note the dragon denialist sitting in the corner. I think we can say goodbye to every vote from every dungeons and dragons player. Dragon denialism is a
blight on this Parliament. Dr John Kaye should listen to the scientific
evidence. I refer him specifically to the Dungeons and Dragons Adventurer's
handbook, third edition, which states unequivocally that dragons do exist, in a
wide range of colours. Perhaps dragons should be investigated even more deeply
with regard to their role in climate change, because it has the same sort of
scientific relevance as carbon dioxide." 

- Hansard 13 May 2011.