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Minister Howard government will result in a censoring undertaken. attacked the rights of public debate unlike anything I was one of the Labor members and legitimate role we have seen since the previous of Parliament who pushed this Janelle’s Page of the NFP sector Federal Coalition Government, issue in Caucus. From day one and diminished when Prime Minister Howard when I first heard of this rapacious by Janelle Saffin, MP A strong, its capacity to made gag clauses mandatory in all proposal I voiced my opposition independent and represent and funding contracts, which also led to to it, to concerned locals, senior I’m pleased to report that the innovative NFP advocate for its significant defunding of community ministers and the media. Federal Government is to legislate to sector is essential members. organisations. We were told that this floating ban gag-clauses in Commonwealth for the functioning In 2008 the We can only hope the O’Farrell fish factory, able to suck in mega contracts with the not-for-profits of our society and Federal Labor Coalition Government doesn’t catches, was sustainable but I (NFP) sector. good for our way of Government follow the Queensland Government was not convinced that a vessel I believe in free speech, even if at life. The people who removed the gag- down this track, but given what it of this size would operate in a times, it can be uncomfortable, and work in this sector as clauses imposed by is doing to education and health we sustainable way. And, who wants a our NFP sector must be able to employees and volunteers contribute the Coalition that had restricted the need to be on guard. ship that can take in one go what speak out. hugely to our community. sector from engaging in policy and a few vessels would take over time. In our area the NFP sector The NFP sector is a key partner political debate. Super Trawler Common sense prevailed. contributes significantly to in developing and delivering And the Labor Government It was a great victory for common delivering services and improving major policy reform and creating will now legislate to ensure the sense when Parliament passed our community. I want them to be opportunities for all Australians. Commonwealth cannot include gag the Government’s legislation to Member for Page free to put forward whatever views The past few weeks in Queensland clauses in contracts with the NFP prevent vessels, like the super 63 Molesworth Street and policy ideas they want to, and have reminded us of the repressive sector. trawler FV Abel Tasman, from Lismore not be gagged as part of funding days of the last Federal Coalition Recent gag clauses introduced fishing in Australian waters while Phone 1300 301 735 agreements. government, when the then Prime by the Queensland Coalition further scientific assessments are Every child in every North coast kids to benefit from historic dental package school will suffer by Justine Elliot, MP decades Australians have used per child over a two-year period. Medicare to visit the doctor when This $2.7 billion initiative aims to under harsh Liberal/ People on the North Coast are they’re sick. address dental decay in children, National cuts smiling after the announcement of “Unfortunately millions of people which has been increasing since the the Federal Labor Government’s $4 don’t visit the dentist because they 1990s. Local Federal MP Justine Elliot has billion dental package. just can’t afford it – we know low- The Gillard Government is condemned the NSW “About 20,800 children in the income households have more providing $1.3 billion to states Government ‘s cuts to local schools. Richmond electorate will now be than double the number of family and territories under a National “This is the biggest cut to eligible for government-subsidised members with untreated tooth Partnership Agreement to expand education in 20 years – since the dental care, just like they’re eligible decay compared with high-income public dental services for low- last time the Liberals/Nationals for Medicare funded visits to their households. income adults. This funding will were in Government in NSW,” GP,” Justine said. “That’s why Labor believes we depend on the states and territories Justine said. Under the package the Gillard have a responsibility to ensure at least maintaining their current “They’re cutting funding to our Government will also provide people who are least able to afford level of dental care services. public schools and freezing funding dental services to more than one to go the dentist, particularly And $225 million in funding to every single local Catholic and million low-income adults and children, should have access to for dental infrastructure in outer Independent school. Australians in rural and remote have better access to dental care in government-subsidised dental care.” metropolitan, rural and regional “Whenever a Liberal Premier areas, focusing especially on the public system; and Justine said. areas will assist more Australians, picks up an axe – schools are first to pensioners. • $225 million for dental capital The $4-billion package is in regardless of their location, in face the chop.” The six-year package announced and workforce will be provided addition to the $515 million gaining access to high-quality She accused North Coast includes: to support expanded services announced in the 2012-13 Budget, dental care. National Party MPs of sitting back • $2.7 billion for around 3.4 million for people living in outer which included a blitz on public and doing nothing while the savage Australian children who will be metropolitan, regional, rural and dental waiting lists, additional cuts were occurring. eligible for subsidised dental care. remote areas. dental training and support for Member for Richmond “Yet again, Geoff Provest, Don • $1.3 billion for around 1.4 million Justine said the package would people in rural and remote areas. 107 Minjungbal Drive Page and Thomas George are either additional services for adults on address increasingly poor oral Children aged two to 17 in Family Tweed Heads South unwilling or unable to stand up for low incomes, including pensioners health amongst Australians, Tax Benefit Part A-eligible families the North Coast,” Justine said. and concession card holders, and particularly people from low and will be entitled to subsidised basic Phone 1300 720 675 “This shows that you just can’t those with special needs, who will middle-income families. “For dental treatment, capped at $1,000 trust the Nationals.” resigned, one town planning consultant who approved a lot and there is a push for more will be busy, and an unknown young man land to be turned into houses. Is this what (hope he likes to read because there are lots of the village wants? We need to make sure 200-page reports). council consults with the villages about future Councillors make sure that the roads, growth and that we maintain food security rubbish, water and sewer services are funded by protecting farmland from residential and parks, pools, libraries and art galleries development. are provided. It is also the councillor’s job to New housing needs to be low-cost and represent your needs and interests. How do sustainable, with solar panels and rainwater we know what these are? It is up to you to tanks. If every house uses rainwater in the tell us. We welcome phone calls and respond toilet and laundry, there is no need to build promptly to emails. You might want a park or a Dunoon dam or desalination plants all Green Scene a riverbank restored. You may have a question along the coast. At the moment the Nimbin about the water supply or tree clearing on the community is examining million-dollar by Cr. Vanessa Ekins, Lismore Council elected Vanessa Ekins. neighbour’s place. Remember to tell us what options for a centralised water supply. Only Lismore now has eleven Councillors: one the story is so we can take some action. 2% of household water is used for drinking: any thanks to Nimbin voters for your Greenie (that’s me), one Sustainable Future, I want to see more footpaths and cycleways most is flushed down the toilet and the Mstrong support for the Greens: Vanessa our hard working Mayor Jenny (and her three and habitat corridors through urban and laundry drain. Do we really need expensive, Ekins, Susan Stock, Shae Salmon, Beth Labor mates), and five so-called independents rural areas. What do you want? heavily treated water for these purposes? Shelley, Amanda King and Adam Guise who are actually two un-endorsed National The big issue for Nimbin now is increasing Email: [email protected] or in the Lismore City Council elections. You party members, one Liberal who recently residential development. Council has already phone 6624-5500. • Bookkeeping – MYOB, Quickbooks Four cosy one-bedroom timber cabins nestled on 33 acres • Tax Preparation of natural bushland with abundant wildlife, within easy • Business Activity walking distance of local restaurants and shops. Statements Overnight or Weekly – Wheelchair Access – Electronically lodged BAS Agent No: 98777 003 TERETRE Retreat – NIMBIN Phone Jayne 6689-0314 5 High Street, Nimbin NSW 2480 AUSTRALIA Ph: (02) 66 891 908 - Mob: 0427 891 626 Mobile 0457-497-011 Email: [email protected] - Web Site www.teretre.com.au Email: [email protected] Page 8 The Nimbin GoodTimes October 2012 [email protected] Yes/No answer. The result was an from the LEPs of five North cakes, handcrafts and photography From the Mayor’s desk astounding 86.86% No. Coast councils and referred back and so much more.