Issues

Showdown between Community and Coalition on forced council amalgamations

  The NSW Government’s forced amalgamations plans for local councils have been announced. The forced amalgamations will cut the number of councils from 152 to 112. In Sydney, 43 councils will be reduced to 25, while 109 regional councils will become 87. NSW Premier Mike Baird has said the target population size for the proposed […]

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TRANSGRID LEASE EXPOSES CONSUMERS AND RENEWABLE ENERGY TO UNCERTAIN FUTURE

The $10.3 billion paid for the long-term lease of NSW’s high voltage transmission network raises serious questions about what guarantees have been given to the consortium and their costs for consumers and the future of the renewable energy industry, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. Dr Kaye said: “The over-the-odds sale price looks like

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LOCAL COUNCILS SHOULD NOT BE FOOLED BY BAIRD’S BLUSTER AND BULLYING

Local councils across the state should not be fooled by Premier Baird’s bullying language and aggressive campaign to force amalgamations. Premier Baird and Local Government Minister Toole sent a letter to all NSW Mayors with an unsubtle threat to councils who have listened to their local community and decided to remain standalone: “Councils that see the

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ALCOHOL AND POKER MACHINE REGULATION WEAKENED TO APPEASE POWERFUL LOBBY

The NSW government is about to undermine the regulatory structure that enforces laws about alcohol sales, electronic gaming machines and the casino, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. Deputy Premier Troy Grant’s proposed restructure of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) (see http://j.mp/LiquorGamingReforms1015) would: Strip ILGA of all of the staff that service its regulatory, enforcement and

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NEWCASTLE HERALD 15/9/15 – TAFE WARNING: SALE WILL “ROB REGION”

  September 17, 2015 By John Kaye THE full and partial sale of Hunter TAFE campuses will raise more than $6million for the state government but potentially rob the region of a prosperous economic future, according to Greens MP John Kaye. ‘‘There’s no question theHunter has taken a fairly savage blow,’’ Dr Kaye said.‘‘For more

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VULNERABLE APARTMENT OWNERS SERVED UP TO BIG DEVELOPERS

July 16, 2015 By John Kaye   Proposed changes to NSW’s strata title laws would see many elderly and vulnerable apartment owners turfed out of their homes to fatten up the profits of developers and other residents, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. Innovation and Better Regulation Minister Victor Dominello released draft legislation yesterday that would allow

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Nile’s electricity inquiry stitch-up locks out renewable energy future

April 15, 2015 A behind-closed-door deal between the Baird government and the Christian Democrats has locked renewable energy and low income households out of next month’s upper house inquiry into the proposed privatisation of the state’s poles and wires network, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. Dr Kaye said: “Fred Nile’s first act in

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