Ebrief #45 - Now available

As the economic turmoil in the US finds it's way to the rest of the world, I share the concerns of those US Senators worried about bailing out investment banks while families lose their homes. While I understand the reason why the bailout has had to happen, I lament what else could be done with $700 billion - urban renewal, climate change action, poverty alleviation, universal health care to name a few. I also rage against the greed that drove this situation....

The past fortnight in NSW has also been very busy as the new Ministers and the government gets serious about the issues facing the state. Some of the highlights:

• The Premier announced his Parliamentary Secretaries. I am now the Parliamentary Secretary for Transport.
• The latest GLBT law reforms, including legal recognition for lesbian mums were proclaimed and the NSW government has got behind Mardi Gras and added it to the NSW major events program.
• NSW made a submission to the Rudd Government's Green paper on Climate Change
• NSW will provide $16million to our most disadvantaged public schools
• NSW also announced $10.7million for local climate change projects
• The government is also working with the Commonwealth to better monitor workers on the 457 Visa program

Video's of the week: Tina Fey does another Sarah Palin special. Best activist campaign goes to inmyname a global call to political leaders to support the UN's Millenium Development goals. A very small reflection on the rise of Malcolm Turnbull. And a register to vote campaign in the US.

Regards

Penny

P.S. Congratulations to Maqsood Alshams and the team at UTS who organised the 4R's conference about social inclusion this week.

MORE