Red Leather #90 - now available

This week will be the first time the Opposition will be able to take the O'Farrell government ministers through their paces at Estimates hearings.  Six months into a Coalition government we'll find out which Ministers will sink or swim.
 
If you are a Labor party member you should have received your ballot papers for National President. There are 6 candidates. Rainbow Labor has surveyed the candidates on issues like marriage equality, anti-discrimination legislation and reaching out to GLBTI communities. You can check out their responses here. Voting closes Friday, 18 November.
 
In NSW the ballot for the new Policy forum is now open. There are 63 candidates vying for 16 positions. You can vote online or via postal vote.  This ballot is important as those elected will have a key role in shaping the state platform before the next state election. Rainbow Labor also surveyed these candidates. You need to cast your vote by 7 November.
 
This weekend I'll be joining a cross-party group of MPs, a selection of journos and parliament house staff in the Dragon Boat Regatta at Darling Harbour. The Paddling Pollies are raising funds for Dragons Abreast who raise money for breast cancer awareness and support breast cancer survivors. If you can sponsor our efforts, please do.
 
Last week I hosted a gathering of Balmain Labor Party members at Parliament House to celebrate 120 years of the Balmain Branch. Tanya Plibersek and Verity Firth were our special guests. This is the speech I made in the parliament celebrating this important milestone.
 
Speech of the week: Luke Foley lays out the case against Nick Greiner and his many conflicts as head of Infrastructure NSW.
 
Website of the week: The Power Index. If you are interested in who influences whom in NSW. This is well worth a read.

Regards
Penny

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