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Country Labor diaLogue

C o n n E C t i n g C o u n t ry C o M M u n i t i E s f E B r u a ry 2 0 1 2

Country Conference 2012 friday 24 sunday 26 february 2012


Cessnock performing arts Centre, 198 Vincent street, Cessnock

Breaking news: tim flannery to address Country Conference


Country Conference is fast approaching it will be held at the Cessnock performing arts Centre, friday 24 sunday 26 february 2012.
Professor Tim Flannery will be addressing Country Conference, speaking about his work as Climate Change Commissioner and the opportunities for country Australia after Labors introduction of a price on carbon. For the latest information on Country Conference, visit www.countrylabor.com.au/countryconference.

Message from Courtney roche, Country organiser


happy new year! i hope you had a great Christmas break with your family and friends. 2012 promises to be another busy year, with Country Conference at the end of February, Annual Conference on 14-15 July, Local Government preselections already underway before the Local Government Elections on Saturday 8 September. This will be the first Country Conference that we have in Opposition in NSW, and an important opportunity for us to discuss how we will rebuild Country Labor. Country Conference has been significantly reformed, so make sure you check out the program at www.countrylabor.com.au/countryconference. For the first time, we will be holding Policy Workshops on Saturday, with stakeholder panels of community and industry groups, unions and policy experts on key policy challenges for country NSW. We are also offering an additional full-day of training on Friday 24 February for delegates and Party members who are standing (or considering standing) as candidates in the Local Government Elections on Saturday 8 September. You must RSVP for this training by emailing kaila@nswalp.com. And dont forget to book for the Saturday night dinner! You can book online at www.trybooking.com/TLO or call NSW Labor on 1800 503 035. For any more information on Country Conference, visit www.countrylabor.com.au/countryconference or call me on 1800 503 035.

government turns its back on biodiesel industry


the ofarrell governments decision to suspend biodiesel mandate increases is a major blow to the industry and will discourage investment in environmentally friendly fuels. The Biofuels Act 2007 requires that a minimum percentage of NSW diesel sales be a biodiesel blend. The legislated mandate was due to increase from 2% to 5% on 1 January - however the Energy Minister suspended the increase indefinitely, claiming there is insufficient local production to meet the mandate. The OFarrell Government doesnt seem to understand that the whole point of the biofuel mandate is to drive investment in environmentally friendly fuels and increase local supply, Shadow Energy Minister, Luke Foley said. Biodiesel, which is made from animal and vegetable oils, provides new markets for NSW farmers as well as clean fuel to power our cars. Its also good for our environment, creates jobs in regional NSW and reduces our reliance on foreign fuel imports.

nsW government Department admits regional relocation grants a failure


the department responsible for the roll out of the ofarrell governments disastrous regional relocation grant program admitted the program doesnt work but the premier is still insisted on a seven week taxpayer funded advertising campaign to publicise the scheme.

Manufacturing Promotion Scheme Labors Regional, Agricultural and s. jobs in regional NSW over four year (RAMPS) would support 44,000

an internal document prepared by the Department of trade and investment in December 2012 states that research has found: the rrg (regional relocation grant) is not enough to trigger someone to move to a regional area. The Department responsible for the roll out of the Governments Regional Relocation Grants has made a staggering admission that the program simply does not work, said Opposition Leader John Robertson.

of dollars on a two month long, taxpayer funded advertising campaign. These grants have become a joke, with take up rates sitting at around 2 per cent of what the Government had initially promised, John Robertson said The only way to drive a genuine population shift into country NSW is to provide secure, well paying jobs. Labors Regional, Agricultural and Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (RAMPS) would support 44,000 jobs in regional NSW over four years giving people a real incentive to move to the country.

The OFarrell Government is discouraging investment in environmentally friendly fuels.

Despite this frank admission, Barry OFarrell is planning to waste hundreds of thousands

north Coast flood damage $7 million plus. ofarrell slow to react


in a baffling display of sloppiness, the ofarrell government has forgotten to declare the Mid north and north Coast of nsW a natural disaster zone a week after flooding began.
a timely declaration of a natural disaster is vital in allowing local councils to assess damage, clean up debris and fix roads and other infrastructure, shadow special Minister of state steve Whan said. Barry OFarrell is asleep at the wheel as communities on North Coast and Mid North Coast go under. People are suffering and worried for their livelihoods. The Premier needed to step in, talk to some local Mayors firsthand to hear how much damage there is and make the declaration. It is not necessary to have the full damage

Former Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan is concerned the OFarrell Government has taken over a week to make National Disaster declarations in flood affected areas.

bill before a disaster is declared it can be declared as soon as even one shire passes the threshold, Steve Whan said.

The initial damage bill totals at least $7 million and will climb further as water recedes from roads and bridges.

national party Mps cash grab


national party Mps want taxpayer funded travel entitlements for rural politicians to rise by at least 20%this year only months after they cut the wages of police officers, teachers and nurses to below the rate of inflation.
in a submission to the parliamentary remuneration tribunal, the national party argues the allowance for rural politicians staying in sydney should increase to at least $303 per night. National MPs also want all other allowances to rise by at least 3.3%, in line with the current rate of inflation despite the fact public sector wages have been capped at 2.5%. National Party MPs were happy to claim budget restraints when it came to capping the wages of nurses and police officers, but the sky is the limit when it comes to their own bank balances, Deputy Opposition Leader, Linda Burney said. Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner and his National Party MPs are clearly out of touch with the rest of the community. If hardworking nurses, teachers, police officers and other public sector workers are being forced to accept real wage cuts, why should National Party members receive 20% increases to their allowances?

National Party MPs are happy to grab for cash themselves while cutting the wages of public sector workers.

Tribute to: Brian Driscoll

for Rodwell Award ived the Bluey ian Driscoll rece ry Labor. Br ice to Count meritorious serv

Brian was a Party stalwart, and regular attendee to both State and Country Conferences for many years.

Life Member Brian Driscoll passed away in December 2011, aged 88.
After starting his working life as a shearer, Brian and his brother purchased the family farm at Milbrulong. Brian was a good farmer and the property developed a reputation for quality lambs. Brian and his late wife Rosemary were highly respected throughout their local community. Some of their achievements included advocating for the establishment of community liquor licences in order to stop the closure of the Pleasant Hills Hotel, campaigning for the preservation of local rail lines and securing a pharmacy for the Henty community. A regular attendee at State and Country Conferences, Brian also received Country Labors highest honour, The Bluey Rodwell Award. In recent years, Brian retired and lived in the beautiful verandah town of Lockhart where he continued to sustain the Lockhart Branch as Secretary. Brian was a true believer who will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Country ConfErEnCE 2012 Book now for these two events!


Country ConfErEnCE DinnEr
The Country Conference Dinner is held on the Saturday night of Conference. It is always one of the most enjoyable parts of Conference. The prestigious Bluey Rodwell Award is presented each year at Country Conference to a Country Labor Member who has performed meritorious service to Country Labor. Make sure you have booked your tickets. You can book online at www.trybooking.com/TLO or call NSW Labor on 1800 503 035. Tickets are $40 per person.

CaMpaign insight training Day


On Friday 24 February as part of Country Conference there is an additional full-day of training. This is ideal for delegates and Party members who are standing (or considering standing) as candidates in the Local Government Elections on Saturday 8 September. You must RSVP for this training by emailing kaila@ nswalp.com For more information please visit www.countrylabor. com.au/countryconference.

Do you have a story for Country Labor?


Email your story and photos to jay@nswalp.com

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