Lidia Thorpe is our newest Australian Greens Senator!
We are so pleased and hopeful that Lidia Thorpe has this week formally joined our team as the newest Australian Greens Senator. After the Victorian Parliament held a joint sitting to confirm her as a Federal Senator for Victoria, Lidia took her place in the Greens Federal Party Room.
Greens oppose One Nation’s Education Amendment Bill
The Greens NSW oppose One Nation’s Education Amendment Bill in the strongest terms. There is no place for transphobia in our school system and this attempt to make it official school policy, risking the health, wellbeing, safety and education of trans and gender diverse kids and teachers is nothing short of disgraceful.
Erko station needs a lift!
We have long known that Erko Station needs a lift. And local residents and the Friends of Erskineville are also keen to see a second entrance to the station at the southern end. It was great to able to meet up with some folks last week to talk through the options and receive their petition.
Pets in rental and strata housing
We are pleased to support the first ever e-petition in the NSW Parliament - a petition to overturn the ban on pets in strata buildings. People love their pets. In fact, around 63% of Australian households own a pet. However, for most people who live in a rental home, or in a strata building there are draconian rules banning pets even when they have no impact on neighbours. This makes it extremely difficult for households with pets to find a new home when they need it.
Restore arts funding
The Greens have written to the NSW Arts Minister urging him to restore funding to Writing NSW and Pact Centre for Emerging Artists. At this time, artists, creatives and our arts and cultural institutions are doing it particularly tough - in many cases they were already struggling before the pandemic hit.
Greens support bus strike
The Greens support the proposed strike action by members of the RTBU on behalf of bus drivers' call for safe working conditions and an end to the privatisation of bus services. Jenny spoke in Nov 2017 on behalf of the NSW Greens on the 10,000-signature petition opposing the privatisation of Inner West bus services. Jenny and the Member for Balmain, Jamie Parker MP joined community and union members condemning this privatisation. This week, Greens NSW Transport spokesperson, Abigail Boyd MLC and Greens NSW spokesperson on Workers Rights David Shoebridge MLC, released the following statement regarding the current demands and proposed strike of members of the RTBU: "The Greens stand strongly in support of this action. Bus drivers are striking because their jobs and wellbeing are under attack from the NSW Liberal Government. "In the middle of a pandemic, we should be supporting our essential workers, not throwing them under the bus.
World Breastfeeding Week 2020
Jenny Leong MP, Member for Newtown, spoke to Parliament to draw attention to World Breastfeeding Week and the 2020 theme which is encouraging everyone to 'support breastfeeding for a healthier planet'.
Jenny Leong MP calls on the government to protect Koalas
Greens Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong MP has called on the Government to protect core koala hubs identified within the boundaries of the proposed Great Koala National Park.
Jenny Leong MP asks the Health Minister to make Protests COVID Safe
Our right to peaceful protest in a central part of our democracy. Greens Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong MP has asked the Minister for Health to develope a COVID Safe Plan specifically for peaceful protests, similar to those in place for businesses and major events.
Community Recognition of the Greek Welfare Centre
Jenny Leong MP drew the Parliament's attention to the fantastic work of the Greek Welfare Centre that provides services and programs to empower individuals and groups from the Greek community and the community at large.
Jenny Leong MP on Homelessness Week
Greens Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong has called for a drastic investment in public, social and affordable housing to address the homelessness crisis is NSW.
Greens NSW Response to ‘A Housing Strategy for NSW’ Discussion Paper May 2020
The NSW government released a discussion paper in May 2020 on a Housing Strategy for NSW. Jenny Leong MP, NSW Greens spokesperson on Housing and Jamie Parker MP, NSW Greens spokesperson on Planning made a submission on behalf of the NSW Greens. The following is an extract from this submission. As a matter of protocol and a mark of respect, we acknowledge it always was and always will be Aboriginal land and pay our respects to Aboriginal elders past, present and emerging. We also submit that ‘A Housing Strategy for NSW’ must prioritise ensuring Aboriginal housing needs are met along the housing continuum. This means resourcing Aboriginal-led homelessness services, supporting Aboriginal-led community housing providers, pro-actively involving Aboriginal-led organisations in the development and implementation of this strategy and recognising through reparation that the land that is the focus of this strategy is stolen land that was never ceded. Our Recommendations: Incorporate plans for genuine consultation and input from Aboriginal-led organisations both in the development and implementation of the NSW Housing Strategy Recognise the need for reparations given that the land all of this housing will be delivered on is stolen land Ensure adequate resourcing and support for Aboriginal-led homelessness and housing services as well as community housing providers Identify housing as a key component of the State’s infrastructure priorities Establish an integrated Housing portfolio in NSW with a single Minister who has responsibility across private, public, community and rental housing areas, combined with the establishment of a Housing Ombudsman Incorporate specific actions to progress protections for renters and advance rental reforms which enable security of tenure, affordability and habitability for renters in to the NSW Housing Strategy Commit to large scale government development and provision of public, social and affordable housing as housing options for a range of tenants with varying incomes Mandate 30% affordable housing in new private rental housing developments Commit to ending homelessness and ensure there are no exits to homelessness from state institutions or as a result of family violence or economic disadvantage Recognise the climate crisis as a key driver for strong action in the housing strategy and include actions to progress zero emissions sustainable housing and large scale retrofitting of existing homes.
COVID-19 Racism Incident Report
Jenny Leong MP attended the launch of the 'COVID-19 Racism Incident Report' which captured racist incidents against Asians in Australia that arised due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. She gave a statement in Parliament to recognise the report and those who contributed.
One Nations So Called Religious Freedoms
Former Federal Labor Leader turned NSW One Nation MP Mark Latham has introduced a Bill in to the NSW Parliament to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act - this Bill is now the subject of an inquiry. The NSW Anti-Discrimination Act is well overdue for a review, but this Bill does not offer the solutions we need, instead it promoted to rights of some people over many others.
Recognition for the Wear the Change Fundraiser
The Wear the Change Fundraiser, organised by The Social Outfit in Newtown, raised funds for their non-profit community programs which support refugee and migrant women with training, education and employment pathways in the fashion industry.
