The People's Westconnex Inquiry
Last Friday we hosted the People's Westconnex Inquiry in NSW Parliament. Today we drew the Government's attention to the testimonies of health professionals, council transport planners, academics, residents, community campaigners and members of Parliament who all agree that Westconnex is bad for Sydney.
Peoples WestConnex Inquiry Hears Damming Evidence
NSW Greens spokesperson on WestConnex and Member for Newtown Jenny Leong MP, today chaired the Peoples WestConnex Inquiry in the NSW Parliament. The Inquiry seated close to 100 participants and heard presentations from 20 expert speakers as well as multiple testimonies from affected members of the community who took the opportunity to put their views against WestConnex on the public record. “The purpose of this Peoples Inquiry was to highlight the lack of transparency, good governance and community consultation surrounding the $16.8 billion WestConnex tollroad and today’s Inquiry exposed many of the extremely problematic impacts that this project will have”, said Ms Leong.
Peoples WestConnex Inquiry to Expose Serious Flaws
NSW Greens spokesperson on WestConnex and Member for Newtown Jenny Leong MP, will chair the Peoples WestConnex Inquiry in the NSW Parliament tomorrow. What: Peoples WestConnex Inquiry Where: NSW Parliament, Jubilee RoomWhen: Friday 6 May 10 – 2 pm The purpose of the Peoples Inquiry is to highlight the lack of transparency, good governance and community consultation surrounding the $16.8 billion WestConnex tollroad. A number of expert speakers, community representatives and members of parliament will make presentations to the Inquiry including: Ms. Jude Page, NSW Public Health Association Mr. Mark Ely, Newtown Business Precinct Association Ms. Daisy Barham, Nature Conservation Council Members of NSW Parliament: Dr Mehreen Faruqi MP, Jamie Parker MP and Jo Haylen MP Representatives from local councils and residents’ groups Members of the public will also be provided with an opportunity to put their views on the record. A full schedule, including all speakers, is available here.
Parliamentary Speech on WestConnex Transparency
Member for Newtown and NSW Greens spokesperson on WestConnex Jenny Leong MP speaks on the Government Information (Public Access) Amendment (Sydney Motorway Corporation) Bill 2016. This bill is designed to ensure that the information held by the Sydney Motorway Corporation - the entity created to administer the WestConnex project - is subject to freedom of information requests.
Community Recognition: South Sydney PCYC
Today in Parliament we acknowledged the important work of the South Sydney PCYC.
Make Sydney Motorway Corporation Accountable to the Public
Sydney Motorway Corporation (SMC) is wholly owned by the NSW Government and paid for by the people of NSW, yet is neither transparent nor accountable to the people of NSW. The Greens will continue to fight for transparency and accountability when it comes to this disastrous motorway project.
Question to the Transport Minister: Tram Stop at Wimbo Park
Today we asked Transport Minister Andrew Constance to consider a tram stop at Wimbo Park in Surry Hills to ensure good accessibility for the community.
Community Recognition: Cat Protection Society
Today we acknowledged the important work carried out by staff and volunteers at the Cat Protection Society of NSW Inc.
Community Recognition: BOLD Book Launch
Today we drew the attention of Parliament to the recently released BOLD anthology, a collection of stories written by older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.
Pokie Reforms Not Good Enough
Today we called on the NSW Government to consider the harmful effects that the pokies industry has on our communities.
Question to the Deputy Premier: Lockouts Review
How can the public have confidence that the current review of the lockout laws will be comprehensive and impartial when the risk-based liquor licence scheme, which targets problem venues, was never implemented?
Our Civil Liberties Are Under Attack
NSW Liberal Government pushes through legislation that undermines the fundamental principles of the criminal justice system, including the right to presumption of innocence, the right to a fair trial and protections against double punishment.
Keepin’ It Weird In Newtown
Published in City Hub, 28 April 2016 “Don’t just take pictures, come and join us!” protesters implored to onlookers as the ‘Keep Newtown Weird & Safe’ Reclaim the Streets rally marched down King Street on a dark Saturday afternoon. A mix of beards, dresses and dreadlocks paraded as mobile speakers blasting tunes kept the rally in step.
Licensing Scheme Delayed Then Shelved: Baird Govt Fails to Make Repeat Liquor Offenders Pay
NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant has quietly suspended plans to charge additional licensing fees for venues that have a poor compliance rate with the states liquor laws, with big Sydney venues including The Ivy, Home Nightclub Tunnel nightclub and World Bar all set to benefit. The fees, which were part of the package of reforms included 1:30am lockouts and last drinks, were due to be implemented in March 2016. This is despite being announced in January 2014, and promised to be implemented in the first part of that year.
Greens call for civil disobedience to stop WestConnex in light of latest planning approval
NSW Greens spokesperson for WestConnex Jenny Leong MP has condemned the approval of the New M5 Stage 2 plans for WestConnex. Labeling the process a sham, she will be conducting an urgent People’s WestConnex Inquiry and is encouraging the community to engage in civil disobedience to stop this private tollway disaster. “The Baird government’s approval of this next stage of WestConnex is a slap in the face for the community who have tried to engage in good faith with the planning process but have been ignored at every turn,” she said.
