Letter to the Herald, Published 8 August 2008, in response to MCKAY CALLS FOR BUS STOP FUNDING (H,21/7) and PARK DECISION SHORT-SIGHTED (H,26/7)
Jodi McKay (H, 21/7) found it "extraordinary" that Newcastle City Council has to fund the relocation of bus stops because of timetable changes. I agree that it’s "completely unreasonable", but hardly extraordinary, given the State Government’s unilateral decision in 1997 to cost shift the provision of bus shelters onto councils.
To quote from a recent letter from Transport Minister John Watkins to Council: "bus operators ,both State Transit and private operators, are expected to operate commercially and have no ability to fund roadside infrastructure other than their bus stops and timetable displays".
The responsibility for providing bus infrastructure was shifted onto ratepayers to increase public and private bus company profits.
Ms McKay claimed that "If I have to go to the Premier, I will". Given that all councils servicing bus routes bear the responsibility for providing shelters, why would the Premier single out Newcastle for favoured treatment? It would make more sense to ask the Premier to fund construction of and maintain bus shelters,as happened until 1997.
16 months ago, McKay pledged (Newcastle Star, 11/4/07) that "a priority over the next few months would be to work with Newcastle Council to make bus stops cleaner and in better repair". Has she managed to twist the Premier’s arm to provide funding to Council for this?
On another matter, McKay (H, 26/7) criticised Council for providing $200,000 to fund a new playground, shelters and landscaping at Dixon Park Beachfront Reserve. She said she was "flabbergasted" at the "short sighted, piecemeal works".
It’s a modest start, due to funding constraints, to honour a long term commitment. It will fit within any future landscape plans for Dixon Park and her Government’s recent initiative for a Plan of Management for the Stockton to Merewether coastal strip.
I suggest she be positive and ask the Premier for extra funds for more ambitious rehabilitation works at Dixon Park.
Cr Keith Parsons.
1/161 Scott Street, Newcastle, 2300.
0408446022.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Standing for Ward 3 in Newcastle
I am currently a Greens councillor for Ward 3 and hope to represent you again for the 2008-2012 term.
My interests over the past term included stategic heritage,arts and cultural, public art, disability access, Gurakai (Aboriginal), Internal Audit, Coastal and Estuaries Management, Tourism and community forums.
I am extremely concerned about the impact of Ministor Sartor's planning reforms on the rights of citizens and the loss of public accountability and transparency and would advocate to have these laws repealed. I have consistently opposed inappropriate over-development and the loss of traditional suburban character. I will continue to oppose medium-density in flood-prone areas affected by the 2007 storms.
I have been a member of Save Our Rail since the 1980's and will continue to keep the heavy line railway link to Newcastle. I will also campaign for improved bus services and an integrated Lower Hunter transport strategy.
A major priority is the completion of a flood-management plan and Council needs to work with Hunter Water and the state government to urgently improve infrastructure, particularly in the light of irrefutable impacts of climate change.
My Greens colleagues and I will continue to press for the realisation of a Watagan's to Stockton Bight Green Corridor.
We will also campaign to end state government cost-shifting onto local government and to achieve a larger share of Federal tax receipts for local government.
I regard myself as a full-time community representative, and being retired, can continue to devote my 40-plus hours per week commitment to my constituents.
I will also fight to improve the often inadequate heritage management of our city's heritage.
My interests over the past term included stategic heritage,arts and cultural, public art, disability access, Gurakai (Aboriginal), Internal Audit, Coastal and Estuaries Management, Tourism and community forums.
I am extremely concerned about the impact of Ministor Sartor's planning reforms on the rights of citizens and the loss of public accountability and transparency and would advocate to have these laws repealed. I have consistently opposed inappropriate over-development and the loss of traditional suburban character. I will continue to oppose medium-density in flood-prone areas affected by the 2007 storms.
I have been a member of Save Our Rail since the 1980's and will continue to keep the heavy line railway link to Newcastle. I will also campaign for improved bus services and an integrated Lower Hunter transport strategy.
A major priority is the completion of a flood-management plan and Council needs to work with Hunter Water and the state government to urgently improve infrastructure, particularly in the light of irrefutable impacts of climate change.
My Greens colleagues and I will continue to press for the realisation of a Watagan's to Stockton Bight Green Corridor.
We will also campaign to end state government cost-shifting onto local government and to achieve a larger share of Federal tax receipts for local government.
I regard myself as a full-time community representative, and being retired, can continue to devote my 40-plus hours per week commitment to my constituents.
I will also fight to improve the often inadequate heritage management of our city's heritage.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Greens Policies Will Revive Hunter’s Ailing Health System
14 November 2007
Greens candidate for Shortland, Keith Parsons, said today: “Acute shortages of doctors, nurses and health workers generally are endangering the health of local patients and imposing restrictions on the delivery of essential services in the Hunter.
“I have reliable information that an age pensioner transferred to The Calvary Mater hospital after major abdominal surgery at John Hunter Hospital, because no beds were available, was discharged before he had fully recovered.
“He was impressed with the dedication of the medical and nursing staff at Mater, but was concerned that they ‘were run off their feet. ’ On at least one occasion a doctor was not available to help him even though he was in severe pain. He even had to fix a malfunctioning toilet himself!
“Despite glib assurances of local politicians, Hunter hospitals are in a critical condition. Since 2006, emergency admissions have increased by 10.1%, well above the State average. Lake Macquarie cancer mortality rates are well above the NSW average; nothing has been done to alleviate the Lake’s shortage of GPs,” Mr Parsons said.
The Federal Government’s share of public hospital funding has fallen from 45% to 41%, and it diverts $3.5 billion each year from the nation’s public system to subsidise private health insurance. Mr Parsons pointed out that this subsidy is blatantly inequitable because it is derived from taxes that everyone pays; yet it assists only the more affluent people who can afford to access private services, and cuts resources to the public sector - the only system available to those on lower incomes.
“Greens senators will use their strength in the Senate to return the private health subsidy to the public health system. They will support moves to improve the quantity and quality of medical education by removing HECS from health-related university degrees, and they will take steps to establish a scheme for universal dental cover, with matching funding from both state and federal governments.”
“The centrepiece of The Greens’ health policies is a $4 billion plan to build 200 new community health services. These centres will focus on primary health care and promotion to lighten the burdens on our hospitals. They will provide front-line services, including GPs and nurse practitioners, dentists, immunisation, midwifery, physiotherapy, and allied treatments and counselling,” Mr Parsons said.
Greens candidate for Shortland, Keith Parsons, said today: “Acute shortages of doctors, nurses and health workers generally are endangering the health of local patients and imposing restrictions on the delivery of essential services in the Hunter.
“I have reliable information that an age pensioner transferred to The Calvary Mater hospital after major abdominal surgery at John Hunter Hospital, because no beds were available, was discharged before he had fully recovered.
“He was impressed with the dedication of the medical and nursing staff at Mater, but was concerned that they ‘were run off their feet. ’ On at least one occasion a doctor was not available to help him even though he was in severe pain. He even had to fix a malfunctioning toilet himself!
“Despite glib assurances of local politicians, Hunter hospitals are in a critical condition. Since 2006, emergency admissions have increased by 10.1%, well above the State average. Lake Macquarie cancer mortality rates are well above the NSW average; nothing has been done to alleviate the Lake’s shortage of GPs,” Mr Parsons said.
The Federal Government’s share of public hospital funding has fallen from 45% to 41%, and it diverts $3.5 billion each year from the nation’s public system to subsidise private health insurance. Mr Parsons pointed out that this subsidy is blatantly inequitable because it is derived from taxes that everyone pays; yet it assists only the more affluent people who can afford to access private services, and cuts resources to the public sector - the only system available to those on lower incomes.
“Greens senators will use their strength in the Senate to return the private health subsidy to the public health system. They will support moves to improve the quantity and quality of medical education by removing HECS from health-related university degrees, and they will take steps to establish a scheme for universal dental cover, with matching funding from both state and federal governments.”
“The centrepiece of The Greens’ health policies is a $4 billion plan to build 200 new community health services. These centres will focus on primary health care and promotion to lighten the burdens on our hospitals. They will provide front-line services, including GPs and nurse practitioners, dentists, immunisation, midwifery, physiotherapy, and allied treatments and counselling,” Mr Parsons said.
The Greens Challenge Labor’s Support for Workers
16 November 2007
Kevin Rudd’s claim that he would tear up Work Choices and abolish AWAs doesn’t stand up, according to Keith Parsons , The Greens candidate for Shortland
“The ALP promotes itself as the protector of workers’ rights. In fact The Greens are the only party committed to ALL Australian workers,” said Mr Parsons.
“It’s not surprising that major unions (including those affiliated with the ALP) are now supporting Greens candidates’ campaigns and recommending a vote for the Greens in the Senate,” said Mr Parsons.
“Only the Greens support expanded safety net provisions, regulations to ensure a genuine choice for families to balance work, family and community life, an extra year of unpaid parental leave, the right to request genuine flexible working hours and protection for workers against unfair contracts.
“The Greens support the right to strike as a fundamental workers’ right to defend their economic and social interests. Jack Mundey’s famous 1970 Green Ban on Kelly’s Bush and the Green Bans that saved Black Ned’s Bay (Swansea) the East End railway land for the Foreshore Park and Myall Lakes are now illegal under both major parties.
“The ALP will keep AWAs until 2012. Unfair dismissal laws will not apply to workers in businesses with 15 or fewer employees in their first year. In larger businesses unfair dismissals will not apply in the first 6 months
“The shameful Australian Building and Construction Commission would remain under Labor until at least 2010. This organisation, with its police powers, makes normal union activity in the building industry almost impossible. It prohibits normal industrial action including strikes and bans. Unions can’t employ experienced union delegates to monitor OH&S in this dangerous industry, which averages 50 deaths per year. Non-compliance can result in massive fines -$22,000 for workers and $110 000 for unions.
“As a former committed trade unionist and former ALP member, I believe that the ALP can no longer claim to be the political arm of the Australian Labour Movement . That title belongs to The Greens,” said Mr Parsons .
Kevin Rudd’s claim that he would tear up Work Choices and abolish AWAs doesn’t stand up, according to Keith Parsons , The Greens candidate for Shortland
“The ALP promotes itself as the protector of workers’ rights. In fact The Greens are the only party committed to ALL Australian workers,” said Mr Parsons.
“It’s not surprising that major unions (including those affiliated with the ALP) are now supporting Greens candidates’ campaigns and recommending a vote for the Greens in the Senate,” said Mr Parsons.
“Only the Greens support expanded safety net provisions, regulations to ensure a genuine choice for families to balance work, family and community life, an extra year of unpaid parental leave, the right to request genuine flexible working hours and protection for workers against unfair contracts.
“The Greens support the right to strike as a fundamental workers’ right to defend their economic and social interests. Jack Mundey’s famous 1970 Green Ban on Kelly’s Bush and the Green Bans that saved Black Ned’s Bay (Swansea) the East End railway land for the Foreshore Park and Myall Lakes are now illegal under both major parties.
“The ALP will keep AWAs until 2012. Unfair dismissal laws will not apply to workers in businesses with 15 or fewer employees in their first year. In larger businesses unfair dismissals will not apply in the first 6 months
“The shameful Australian Building and Construction Commission would remain under Labor until at least 2010. This organisation, with its police powers, makes normal union activity in the building industry almost impossible. It prohibits normal industrial action including strikes and bans. Unions can’t employ experienced union delegates to monitor OH&S in this dangerous industry, which averages 50 deaths per year. Non-compliance can result in massive fines -$22,000 for workers and $110 000 for unions.
“As a former committed trade unionist and former ALP member, I believe that the ALP can no longer claim to be the political arm of the Australian Labour Movement . That title belongs to The Greens,” said Mr Parsons .
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