Here is your invitation...

Here is your invitation.

Next year (2017) I'm going to fight for justice, fairness and opportunity for all.

I want to see those that are able, to get into good jobs, those that want to study to get an affordable training program and those that have health issues to get the treatment and support they need in an affordable way.

I'll be advocating for marriage equality, humane treatment of asylum seekers and true rehabilitation programs for those that are incarcerated.

I'll be standing with people that understand that the environment comes before corporate or developer profits.

You know there is more to do... Those that would divide our community further by giving advantages to the already advantaged must be stopped.

So I'm inviting you to stand with me, to make a difference and to spread the word!

Are you with me?

NSW Govt plans to grab land that should be the site of Gosford's Cultural Hub.

The debate over the positioning of a new Cultural Hub for the City of Gosford has taken a new direction. Sadly at both state and federal levels we have members of governments that choose to oppose the community...

This recent post by the Member for Robertson shows arrogance and disregard. Here she encourages community consultation, she knows what the community are saying, she knows the anger to the current plans and yet she posts this!

Here is one reason why Poppy Park is not suitable for the PAC (other that the obvious sacred nature of the memorials)

So now we have this - Click here

The State Government has taken the opportunity for the PAC to share the old Gosford Public School site away. Guess what else.... go on guess!!! They will charge us around $3 million to desecrate the Poppy Park

Hold on to your hats!

At least the first thing you see, if it will be called the "Conservative Party" as Abbott suggests... won't be an out and out lie. The Liberal Party of Australia is not liberal. It is a deception from the start.

You've got to think that Abbott is a little miffed... Bernardi has stolen a March on him! Abbott must have been considering something along the same lines... he's even done the smoozing with Hanson (yes, the lady he sent to gaol).

Maybe you thought that 2016 was an interesting year politically. Hold on to your hats, here comes 2017!

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/conservative-party-could-win-up-to-10-tony-abbott-hits-out-at-cory-bernardi-over-breakaway-20161229-gtjmc6.html

He's not happy Jan!

The Truth Will Set You Free!

Here is a real issue for those of you that appreciate openness and honesty.

Professor Jenny Hockey is asking for some documents that were exchanged between the Governor of Australia (in the day) Sir John Kerr and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II the Queen of Australia.

The documents pre date what is refered to as "The Dismissal" when Sir John sacked the Whitlam Government.

The documents were classified (by Kerr) as private and confidential. The Professor contends that these documents may reveal an exchange between the venerable couple that are pivotal and helped determine the future of Australia. Being marked as private and confidential means they are held away from public view until at least 2016 and may ONLY be revealed with the permission of the Monarch and the Governor General.

The Professor says that they are neither personal nor private and should be available for perusal as are so many other documents that are of the same nature.

Their unveiling may give us an answer as to what advice Sir John may have received from The Monarch and how informed she was at the time....

The Professor has set up a crowd funding site for the legal costs. I don't have the webpage address yet (URL).... I will update this post when I have it.

https://chuffed.org/project/release-the-palace-letters

Click here for the ABC report on the issue

Challenge for Grace Collier

Grace Collier made a suggestion for Australians that have difficulty finding work. She says that there is only one person that they can rely on ... themselves!

"Tensions flared on Monday night's Q&A when industrial relations expert Grace Collier said the unemployed could solve their problems by starting their own businesses.

On a night when industrial relations was a key focus of the program, Ms Collier's remarks sparked several on the panel into life and surprised many in the Melbourne studio audience."

Ms Collier, I challenge you! If you think it is just a matter of "starting a business" why don't you show the under employed of Australia just how easy it is?

●Take three months leave (or as long as you think you will need) from your current occupation,
●restrict your access to funds to what a long or short term unemployed person would be able to access ie survive on the same disposable income as a newstart recipient has too,
●Start a business and maintain it, relying on it for your income as a newstart recipient would need too.

In short, let's see you pull off what you flippantly suggest the unemployed should do.

See the ABC story here...

Mike Baird.... Another fine mess!

Mike Baird and Troy Grant almost followed through on a promise to destroy a complete industry in NSW. Regardless of the wrongs and failings of the industry we have a government that cannot continue.

They stood firm for around three months stating that the greyhound ban would stand and that greyhound racing was finished in NSW.

Now, today, the ban has been overturned.

One of the roles of government is to listen to the community, investigate and come to a final point and then act in full confidence that they have made the right decision.

We need to be confident that when the government acts that they have covered all contingencies and that when they can, they give us stability and certainty. This government is unstable and uncertain.

Clearly what we have in Macquarie Street is a closed minded, deaf eared , knee jerking bunch of over confident mismanagers.

There are any number of other issues on the table where the Baird Government are not listening.... Lock outs, local govt mergers and the Gosford waterfront to name but three.... Mr Baird you say you are listening but it appears that you are not.

That's another fine mess that you've gotten us into Casino Mike!

What is going on here???

Professor Steve, not so KEEN on Aussie economic plan.

Professor Keen says.... worries about huge government deficits were overblown.

"The Government is not like a household. A government is like a bank. And a government running a balanced budget is like a bank that simply lends back as much as it gets in repayments, therefore the money supply never grows and without that, you don't have a growing economy," he said.

Professor Steven Keen, who was formerly an associate professor of economics at the University of Western Sydney and is now at Kingston University in London, says economists and governments around the world have their thinking completely wrong on the issue of budget deficits.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-29/australia-headed-for-recession-next-year,-professor-keen-says/7674154

NSW Court of Appeal dismisses directors' challenge to ICAC findings of corrupt conduct - Lexology

http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=41e1ee79-7b67-4f55-9755-857af0174248

The ATO / PAC issue is far from over!

Do you want to see the dreams of thousands of Central Coast residents dashed just to facilitate a sweet deal struck between the government and a developer? If you are ready to help here is how you can do it....

Submissions are called for. See below...

If you are considering making a submission and I hope that you are why not post it here also, we can share our information and make all of our submissions stronger.  Just copy and paste your submission or your speaking notes into the comments here below.  Knowledge is strength and numbers multiply that strength.

We have been advised that the JRPP are holding a DETERMINATION MEETING for the ATO DA2016HCC009 – Central Coast 

DA49223/2016 - Lot 1, DP1210298, 99 Georgiana Terrace, GOSFORD
Construction of a mixed use office and retail premises including adaptive reuse of the former School of Arts building

Meeting Agenda and Council Assessment Report
Business papers for the application will be available at www.jrpp.nsw.gov.auon or before Thursday 23 June 2016 under the ‘Development and Planning Register’ section.

Register to speak
Whether or not you made a submission on the DA, you have the right to speak at the JRPP meeting.
To register to speak at the meeting, please contact the Regional Panels Secretariat before 
4 pm on Tuesday 28 June 2016, on 02 9228 2060 or email jrppenquiry@jrpp.nsw.gov.au

Guidelines for speakers
As the regional panel will have read all the submissions and documentation before the panel meeting, you should focus your oral submission on the assessment report and its recommendation rather than re-stating the information in your written submission.

As a guide, individual submitters will have 3 minutes to speak. A community organisation/group will have 10 minutes in total for a representative(s) to speak on their behalf. The applicant, including their consultant(s), will have a total of 15 minutes to present and address issues raised in public submissions. Any requests for extending time limits should be made to the panel at the meeting and may be granted at the discretion of the panel chair.

If you have any further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact Regional Panels Secretariat (02) 9228 2060 jrppenquiry@jrpp.nsw.gov.au

Here is how to vote LABOR in Robertson and in Dobell...

Let's paint the Central Coast Red - the coulour of LABOR

What's the deal Lawrie, Gabbie, Jeff and colleagues?

I'm wondering what is going on. Initially Gosford City Council voted unanimously to reject amalgamation with Wyong. You'd have thought that would be that. You'd have thought we would continue the partnerships that we share with Wyong, but we'd recognize that the move for amalgamation is neither warranted not appropriate.

Next, late in 2015, the conservatives amongst the elected Councillors in Gosford changed their position. Under pressure from the Baird Government, of financial penalty and exclusion from the process (that was allegedly going to proceed with or without council consent) they voted to "accept the inevitable". Their rationalization was that they needed to ensure a seat at the table. They had been coerced. Pure and simple coercion.

Now, this is where it gets even more complicated... Today we hear that former Gosford Mayor, Lawrie Mckinna has rejected an offer to assist with the committee that will oversee the process from here on in.... What is the deal? We had these Councillors in place, representing us... They changed their conviction so that they'd cement their ongoing involvement... Now this?

BTW there are some councils that were under the same pressure to comply, that stood strongly against amalgamation. Some councils have fended off the same attack that made us buckle under... They will be permitted to continue as a stand alone council.

The Council members that capitulated must be looking back and wondering about their final decision... Will they all reject the same offer that Lawrie has rejected? It appears they got it so, very, wrong. Now we have to live with their mis-read of the situation.

Looking ahead, we now have to fund the very expensive amalgamation that we didn't want (council community consultation led to the original unanimous rejection).

Just as has occurred in Qld, reversal of amalgamation will be on the table under a Labor State Government.

Stand by for further development.... I have a feeling that this is not over, not by a long shot.

Footnote: Labor Councillors Vicki Scott and Jim Mcfadyen originally rejected amalgamation and they stood firm, as did Greens Councillor Hillary Morris.

Roundabout or Traffic Lights? What is your preference?

There is a plan to upgrade an intersection near my home.

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/projects/central-coast/empire-bay-scenic-cochrane/empire-bar-drive-notification-1604.pdf

I have a feeling that it will be very expensive to complete.

The local member Mr Crouch (as a candidate) parked his Ute near the intersection with signage stating that he (and Mike Baird) would FIX this road. He is to be congratulated for securing the planning money.

Anyone that has any insight into this type of thing will know that "planning" is not fixing (planning must happen first of course). I look forward to hearing that Mr Crouch has secured the funding to FIX the congestion problem. It will of course be in the multi millions of dollars most likely (my guesstimate, happy to be corrected) skywards of $15mil.

The plan in part, is to remove the existing roundabout, duplicate some lanes to add turning lanes, widen the road, remove vegetation add traffic lights and redirect some traffic from roads that lead onto Empire Bay Drive. Drivers on Sundowner Ave will no longer be able to turn right on Empire Bay Drive.

The recent Terrigal Drive / Charles Kay Drive intersection at Terrigal is said to have needed funding of $25mil from the State Government. I assume there may have been funding input by the federal Government also.

This project is very similar, the traffic numbers are similar the main difference is the Kincumber intersection is a cross-road project where as Terrigal was a T-Intersection. The Terrigal project covers a larger surface area of road.

One million dollars is set aside just for the planning processes. From a cursory look over the document it seems that there will be minimal improvement if any. Have a look at just how short the widened strips are. Will that really move the volumes of traffic through quicker than now?

Could the option of a larger dual lane roundabout with longer sections of road widening give a better result?

I understand that roundabouts allow for swifter and smother through movement of vehicles, what do you think?

The combination of roundabout and traffic lights works very well at the Karalta Rd / Central Coast Hwy intersection. Will this end up being just another way to move a bottleneck a little further up the road or will it be the answer?

Of course I hold no qualifications that make me an expert. However, I do look forward to your input and advice.

Where would we be?

Tony Robinson's Time Walks... today's episode just paid tribute to the BLF and the green bans. Have a look here if you like http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/tony-robinsons-time-walks/ZW0650A004S00

Swathes of history was about to be destroyed in Woolloomooloo and other areas of Sydney... but the community and the UNIONS came together and historic features such as the Finger Wharves were saved from the developers.

That's right those nasty, grubby, criminal UNIONS! The next time you see the conservatives, the developers and the Murdoch press denigrate UNIONS have a think about the Green Bans. Have a think about workplace safety and have a think about what UNIONS really mean to our country. Think about what vested interests would do without the presence of UNIONS!

https://newmatilda.com/2011/07/19/green-bans-saved-sydney/

Is there dishonesty in the Amalgamation Agenda? You bet there is... Shame on the Baird Government

Alan Jones has been very active regarding the amalgamation fiasco. It is clear that Alan sees Toole as dishonest and Baird as uncaring when it comes to the wants and needs of the community! There is no doubt that he considers that breaches of the law are part of this mess.

Mr Jones lays a few truths down and it's not a pretty story! He asks why Baird won't release the full KPMG report, why not a plebiscite? He reminds us that the Baird Govt are there to represent us not to boss us around.

Are we being run by liars? Alan Jones says that they ARE lying to us...

Remember that there is a KPMG report that the Baird Government is using to validate their actions and agenda. The sad fact is that their report is a secret document, released in part only! What you may not know is that Bombala, Cooma-Monaro and Snowy River Shire Councils has also ordered a report from KPMG you can hear how in a FULLY RELEASED report the prospect of amalgamation is not favourable ie NOT RECOMMENDED... Mr Baird and Mr Toole I call on you to give us honesty in Government, I call on you to FULLY RELEASE your KPMG Report and finally (for now) I call on you to let the people of NSW decide this issue by plebiscite or by a general election if you dare! Click here to listen

Election 2016: Malcolm Turnbull rolls the dice and now his fate now rests in an unlikely budget

The Australian Senate are doing exactly what the Australian voters have asked them to do. They are doing their job, they are the house of review. They have reviewed and they have rejected bad legislation.

And yet unless Mr Turnbull pulls his threat of a Double Dissolution (the polls are against him) we will be heading to the polls sooner rather than later.

Let's assume (for the sake of argument) that the election returns Mr Turnbull and his friends to government but as is the want of the Australian electorate, they chose to elect a Senate that will "keep the bastards honest" (has there ever been a political slogan that captured the heart of Australians so thoroughly?) Mr Turnbull will be in the same position as he is now!

Given the same circumstances will the LNP choose the same path? Could we end up in another DD situation just a few months after the upcoming election? Will we have continuity or change?

The possibility is there... So do you want to see a government that will return you to the polls on a whim or do you want proper government where even where there is difficulty, a way to make it work is found?

Can you respect a government that when the going gets tough, they choose to throw up their hands and run to the GG for a DD, or will you vote to remove such a mob?

Election 2016: Malcolm Turnbull rolls the dice and now his fate now rests in an unlikely budget

When is a boost not a boost?

You will hear the Abbott/Turnbull government spruiking a "boost to funding" for Finance Watchdog ASIC. When you hear it remember this story. Click the link please...

http://www.smh.com.au/business/asic-lashes-budget-cuts-20141029-11dr2c.html

An election looms, but there are unresolved allegations...

I am at a loss to understand how the Turnbull government can countenance the prospect of another election with the number of allegations of electoral funding corruption that currently soar overhead here in NSW . 

Surely Mr Turnbull understands and has noticed the stench that is in the nostrils of the electorate. That stench, Mr Turnbull, is the stench of corruption.

Whilst Mr Turnbull is doggedly determined to uncover and obliterate corruption in other places, it is an anomaly that there seems to be less of a need to do so in his own back yard.

Shouldn't clearing his colleagues and his party be a high priority? Isn't that important? Will he take us to an election without having these matters decided?

In my humble opinion, the activities of, his party, of the Free Enterprise Foundation and of the other groups and individuals that are under the ICAC and public microscope need to be allegation free before we proceed to the polls.

We have already had an election (2015) in NSW in full knowledge that serious allegations stood against the Liberals here in NSW. People that possibly should have been removed from positions within the party were allowed to participate in that election. We do have a presumption of innocence here, but this has gone on for far too long. The presumption of innocence does not preclude those that are under suspicion from being suspended from their duties or roles... It is time for the Liberals to be seen to act in this matter...

Until the allegations of Liberal Party electoral donation illegalities are confirmed or dispensed with no early election should take place. 

You need to clear the air Mr Turnbull...

We had hope, now we have nothing!

Remember when there was a glimmer of hope, that Turnbull offered a glimmer of hope? This is from the Sun-Herald - Sep 29 2015.

I know the glimmer has been well and truly extinguished... Trust me I am a firefighter, I know extinguishment when I see it.

Alleged fraud won't be stopping Baird's loyalty to backers.

Let me get this right...

Regardless of whether the alleged actions of his party are legal or otherwise, he suggests that he must continue the current agenda out of loyalty to his backers ???? Correct me if I am wrong...

The possibility of hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal donations and the willingness to accept multi millions of taxpayer dollars as a result of an election process where (allegedly) electoral fraud may have been committed is not enough to prompt "Likeable Mike" to sit down and take a long hard look at his party?

It seems not, rather, it is full steam ahead... 
Please let me be wrong!

Read more...

PICTURE CREDIT:
By Artist is Elihu Vedder (1836–1923). Photographed 2007 by Carol Highsmith (1946–), who explicitly placed the photograph in the public domain. - Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-DIG-highsm-02035 (original digital file), uncompressed archival TIFF version (93 MB), cropped and converted to JPEG with the GIMP 2.4.5, image quality 88., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4068003

NO COMMENT - NO KNOWLEDGE

"No Comment" & "No Knowledge" are rapidly becoming the catch phrases that Arthur $inodino$ will be remembered by... Please Read This

Amalgamations - What is the LNP motivation here?

You have to wonder what the motivation is of the LNP to ram home the series of unwanted amalgamations across NSW. 

It is abundantly clear when you look at the most recent amalgamations in Qld that there are ongoing and increasing costs associated with such a move. Infact de-amalgamation is the order of the day click here

If the argument is that it makes good economic sense then they need to put up accurate evidence to support the claim. Prof Brian Dollery is an expert in this field and he has informed the Baird Government of the faults, inaccuracies and failures of the evidence so far put up by the Government in no uncertain terms click here

Over and above all of this is the real threat to the economic viability of our local councils. The Federal LNP Government is putting a financial strangle hold on our councils. The cut close to $1 Billion from local council funding click here

So why are they insisting that this unwanted, ill conceived, costly debacle goes ahead?

There are legal challenges ahead and it is even suggested that they may have used the wrong legislative mechanism to bring it all as far as it has gone so far....

STAY TUNED!

Abbott in a Top hat

It looks like we have a PM going rogue and making "Captain's Calls" again.

Hunt knew nothing of this on the day before the "call" (see the story in the link below). Morrison too was the victim of a "call" when Turnbull moved the budget from May 10th up to May 3rd.

How well did that work for old mate Abbott?

NOTHING HAS CHANGED. As they say, Turnbull is just Abbott in a top hat!

Read the NEWS LTD story here

When is an early election NOT an early election?

Turnbull has tried to say that a July election is not an early election. He knows that Aussies detest going to the polling booths any more than necessary. Make no mistake this will be an early election.....

He has been softening us up for weeks. He thinks that he says it is not early that we will accept that. Sounds a lot like Abbott and "Chopper" Bishop.... repeat a lie often enough and the plebs will think it is the truth!

Turnbull starts the softening up.... CLICK HERE

"trust me"

Malcolm Turnbull ready to call July 2 double dissolution election if IR bills rejected again - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Malcolm Turnbull ready to call July 2 double dissolution election if IR bills rejected again - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

This government is soooo predictable.

Who seriously didn't believe that an election was likely on Jul 2?

Who seriously didn't believe that Tony Abbott would never survive as the PM?

Who seriously didn't believe that the stellar start that Turnbull had was due to his left leaning qualities?

Who seriously didn't believe that he'd have to reject his left leaning qualities to maintain the leadership?

Who seriously didn't believe that the gloss would rub off when the electorate realised that he is so compromised that he is in effect a lame duck?

I am still hearing folks say that they have doubts about Bill Shorten

I am still hearing folks say that they have doubts about Bill Shorten, do your hear the same thing? 

It is my goal to see the time where people are more interested in the issues and policies, more keen to seek out their local candidates and the make their voting decision based on these factors rather than fall into the MSM conservative trap of thinking that we have a presidential system here in Australia. When I stood for the seat of Terrigal it really disappointed me to hear my opponent Adam Crouch slide over to voters and ask "Do you like Mike?' That's very poor form, I'm sure you'd agree? Unfortunately for him it worked... the margin only slipped from around 24% down to 9%. Anyway that is ancient history now....

I know that Bill is a great performer and will make a great PM. I have seen him slay a crowd and I have seen him hold just a few people in his gaze and talk and listen whilst commanding and giving respect.

This piece in the Saturday Paper explains their view of the transformation that is happening right now.

If you are unsure about Bill have a read and you might just change your mind.

Click here for the piece

Why am I helping Anne Charlton?

I just read a really nice post from a friend of mine about volunteering. What he said really made sense. It ,made me think about what I am doing regarding helping Anne Charlton in her efforts to become the member for Robertson. I don't often stop to think about why I am doing what I am doing and I thank Adam Richards for prompting me to do so.

This is my reply to Adams' post

I am a volunteer too Adam. I am a volunteer on the campaign team for Anne Charlton - Labor for Robertson I read your post and I agree. Some days the most important thing you do is family stuff, sometimes it is your work and other times it just might be what you do as a volunteer.

Like all formal volunteer organisations recruitment is vital.... (here comes the ask... but it may not be what you expect!)

If you are interested in the outcome of the upcoming federal election then choose your prefered candidate and find out how you might be able to help them. The thing is that for democracy to work the way it should, people need to be involved and active. So if you care about the result of this election then I encourage you to make a difference yourself. It is very interesting and quite rewarding and if you choose the help out the Labor Party you meet the nicest people!

You can contact myself, or Anne if you'd like to help us make a difference.

Click here for the Anne Charlton Facebook page

He's gotta go!

Greg Hunt must resign!

Here is why... click

List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions

Education? Is it really so important?

If the education of our young Aussies is important to you, then you must help us remove the Abbott / Turnbull LNP government.

Labor says education is vital CLICK HERE for more

Contact me to find out how you can help.

Let's get rid of the Turnbull Government - Will you allow the IPA to destroy Australia?

I am doing what I am able to bring about a change of Government in Australia. I think this election is vital to the future of Australia's infrastructure, tax system, health system and working conditions.

The LNP have been given the opportunity to "fix" the economy, what have they done? Do you think that Australia is better or worse off for having had a conservative government ?

If your see it the way I do, you'd have to say we are worse off,

So, how do we remove them? At a bare minimum you need to put the Libs or Nats last when we get the opportunity to vote.

I am calling on all of you that want to see the LNP removed from office to step up! Complacency will lead to another 3 yrs of right wing ideology.

Have you heard of the Institute of Public Affairs. The IPA is the force behind the Liberal Party [ see the wiki post here ABOUT THE IPA ]

They have a list of aims that the LNP are working their way through... It won't be good for Australia if they are allowed to advance through the list... [ here is some more about the IPA WHO IS THE IPA ANYWAY ? ]

Here is the list...They try to latch on to the reputation of Gough Whitlam, it's incredible have a look for your self [ THE IPA WISH LIST ] They won't talk about this when they campaign for election!

This is why changing the leadership from Abbott to Turnbull has not made one iota of difference. They could make any one of 50 Libs the PM and NOTHING would change. It is the unelected that drive them on their nasty path. If you want to do what you can to oust these jokers, contact me jeff.sundstrom@gmail.com I will help you to help Australia!

AMALGAMATION? I smell a rat!

I smell a rat, and I am not the only one that does...It is becoming more clear. The process that the NSW State Government is undertaking regarding the "voluntary" amalgamation and forced amalgamations of councils is (if not criminal) certainly flawed.

You won't often see me suggest that you listen to Alan Jones, in this case, if you want to be informed about the real situation, I must insist that you do listen. Here Mr Jones speaks with Professor Brian Dollery. Prof Dollery is possibly the most qualified authority in this country with respect to Local Government amalgamation, financial stability, structural reform and sharing of services and he has advised and consulted for councils across all Australian states. - You could say he knows a little about this topic!

Professor Brian Dollery is a Professor working in the Business School of University of New England. This is his staff profile click here...

Please listen to the interview ... click here...

I call on the state government to halt this process and for an inquiry to be held into how the process could be botched so badly and I call for a bipartisan committee to be formed to re-examine the question of the structure and boundaries of local government in NSW.

We have a flawed process which is well underway and we have a community that is against amalgamation that is being ignored. 
The information given to the community is insufficient and the method of imparting the information is clumsy at best. We should have the opportunity to have a Q & A style forum so that questions that arise from reports and government statements could be publicly addressed.

I ask the delegate Mr Rayner to use his capacity to order a public referendum on whether Gosford and Wyong should amalgamate.

This amalgamation proposal for Gosford and Wyong is neither requested nor required. Amalgamation has been a topic of discussion within the Central Coast for decades and if it was the will of the people it would have happened by now.

This proposal is flawed in many ways.
The NSW state government have been elected on a promise of “no forced amalgamations” and yet here we stand today.

The community consultation has already taken place (by Gosford City Council) and the firm message is no amalgamation shall proceed. This factor applies in many other locations. Kiama council found that 92% of folks reject amalgamation and yet they stand to be amalgamated with Shellharbour.

The KPMG report has become something akin to the Secret Volume of the Trade Union Royal Commission report. We are told that it is a very important document but we are only shown portions of it. How are we to make our submissions into this topic with less than the full information? The question must be asked why is there secrecy around the report??

Professor Brian Dollery. Professor, University of NE Business School tells us that the methods, assumptions and data used in the report are awash with errors. I hear that the awards used when calculating employee related costs were the wrong awards.

Therefore when we have a flawed report upon which this is based we will have a disastrous result.

We certainly have no chance of producing a submission relevant to the question of amalgamation without all the FACTS.

Our council here in Gosford had unanimously rejected the prospect of amalgamation. On June 19 2014 GCC put out a press release rejecting amalgamation and on June 30 2015 The Council rejected the idea in a unanimous vote in chambers.

What has happened since has been what might best be described as coercion. At the most recent council meeting where the amalgamation proposal was addressed some Councillors reversed their position resulting in an acceptance of the State Government proposal. Councillors that changed their vote regarding amalgamation have said that the reasons for changing are based in fear of threats made that would have the result of:-
1. Removal local councillors from the process of transition resulting in a loss of valuable local knowledge of our issues and history to the process.
2. Removal of an offer of financial assistance with the very costly business of amalgamation.

These people are our elected representatives. They should only be removed in circumstances where they are negligent in their duty or are found to be acting corruptly etc.

Assistance with financial cost from a government directive to amalgamate should not be held over us as a bribe.
These threats and this bribery constitute coercion in my opinion and this alone should be enough to halt the process.

It is worth mentioning here, that the motion that accepted the amalgamation had in the wording, "Council based on its understanding that continuing as a stand alone council is not acceptable to the NSW Government" The fact is that other councils that were the subject of amalgamation proposals have been permitted to continue as a stand alone entity.

IMHO, Likeable Mike has failed to address many caller questions and makes some statements that I'd love to see "fact checked".

Here is the interview from today's. Wendy Harmer program on 702-ABC

Do you think his effort was open and honest or did you detect some weasel word, side steps and maybe a fib or three? Let me know what you think in the comments.

There is a zinger at the end where Wendy invites Likeable Mike to return on a regular basis... A genuine warm invitation... His reply? Wendy I'd love to come back.. aha ha ha ha!!!! A commitment as firm as aeroplane jelly!

Listen here...

Your Tax Records - Processed in Manila?

How do you think this will go down with the voting public?

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs ----- In The Philippines.




From the linked piece



...Community and Public Sector Union national president Alistair Waters says he is not convinced by the ATO's assurances about data and security.

"It will be very concerning to the Australian community that the ATO and the Turnbull government took this decision without letting Australians know it was even happening," Mr Waters said.

"The reality is that the ATO is now transmitting data overseas and this increases the risks of individual Australian's privacy being breached.

"Offshoring ATO IT development appears completely at odds with what the Prime Minister has said about supporting and developing Australian innovation.

"If this government had not cut the jobs of around one in five tax workers, this so called 'support' in the form of sending tax work overseas may well not be necessary," Mr Waters said.

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/manila-calling-public-services-philippines-frolic-revealed-20160119-gm8y3r.html?rand=4898003#ixzz3xkGwIrWg
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I've just seen one of those silly "Refugees get triple welfare" stories being circulated again!

Please share this information. I repeat please share this information.

Refugee entitlements to social security

Refugees—that is, people who have been granted a Protection visa—do not receive higher benefits than other social security recipients.

In general, Australian Government payments are only available to people who reside in Australia and are either Australian citizens or holders of permanent visas. When an asylum seeker is granted refugee status they become permanent residents of Australia. They have the same entitlements as all other permanent residents.[22] There are no special refugee payments or special rates of payments for refugees.

To Read More, Click Here

So you like "Likeable Mike".... Please, reconsider... our future depends on it!

Have a good look at what Likeable Mike has done to your chances of increasing YOUR qualifications or those of you children....

The cartoon is well done and comical but the result is dire.

When is NSW going to wake up?

Likeable Mike and Our Gladys... still at it!

They came in with promises to fix it all. It seems that the promises are going by the wayside. On top of all that the OPAL will cost most travellers more due to the "rectification of a glitch".

Disappointment all around on public transport at the moment it would seem.

When you have a government that is happy to divide an 8 car train in to two 4 car set-ups and call that a doubling of the service, then the travellers are bound to be disappointed...

Why Sydney's train promises don't add up

There is a war going on in Australia

There is a war in Australia right now and the combatants are the Federal Govt and The Public Servants - serving and retired.

What a disgraceful government!

Some consultation would have been nice.... However this appears to be how this was brought down (correct me if I am wrong)

"The Department of Human Services has confirmed that nearly 35,000 pensioners had been sent word that some or all of their age pension would be cut, effective from January 1.

"34,820 letters were ... issued to customers in mid-December, notifying of a new payment rate or cancellation of their payment from 1 January 2016, as a result of changes to their income and assets," a departmental spokeswoman said."

Click here for more...

Bait and switch or simple mistake?

Is this a deceptive bait & switch or did they just get this very wrong?

During the 2015 NSW Election campaign I spoke with many people that had concerns ranging from extra cost to preferring not to be "in credit" on a card they would seldom use. Some just didn't trust the government to do the right thing...

It looks like the concerns of those folks have a good basis. Most Opal card users WILL PAY MORE after unheralded changes to how and when charges will be applied.

It looks like there was insufficient attention to detail before the roll out... A cynic might suggest there was intent in this situation.

I can tell you, that when I called the OPAL HELP DESK on behalf of voters (with their enquiries) I was informed that the process and application of the system would be dictated by the rate of take up in the community. With a card that offers free travel on the 9th trip and all subsequent trips, take up by the most frequent of the regular travellers was bound to be swift.

The increase in revenue to the government after the rejig takes place is huge. Travellers will be out of pocket!

Likable Mike, have you done the bait and switch on millions of us?

SMH report here

Listening is VITAL. Beware of Weasel Words!

It is VITAL that we listen to what is actually said when matters such as the forced merger of Councils are unfolding in front of us.

Here is a piece from the SMH that reinforces that point.

Have a look in this story [click here], where Likeable Mike talks about his "strong preference" - The phrase is classic example of "weasel words"... Offered in a manner to be convincing and strong, but making no commitment.

I have no doubt, that this is NOT about fulfilling the wishes of the majority of the community and will not be of benefit to the majority of the community.

Whatever the result I will continue to push for more inclusion of the community and I will push for better services and amenity for the community. At present I am trying to ensure that our community get the opportunity to state their preference regarding mergers in a council run poll.