NSW North Coast Nats political lies and funding fudges continue

In January 2010 a published NSW Government e-tendering document clearly stated that a construction company had received an estimated $11.73 million, multi-stage, two and a half year contract to upgrade Casino Public School, in keeping with its heritage-listed buildings.

This is confirmed in the Casino Public School 2010 Annual School Report:

Principal’s message

There were many highlights to the 2010 school year at Casino Public School.

The Major Capital Works program commenced with the construction of new buildings including: the first stage of R Block(two classrooms), T Block (a Support Unit with four classrooms), S Block (a library and a cultural room). R and S Blocks were funded from the Building an Education Revolution (BER) program. All other works will be funded by major capital works funding from the NSW Department of Education and Training. It is anticipated that these state of the art facilities will be available for use early in Term 1 2011. The program of building and refurbishment will continue in 2011 and is due for completion in 2012. The excellent communication and cooperation between Asset Management, Department of Commerce, the school, Woollam Constructions staff and their subcontractors has been a contributing factor to the success of the program.

Not content with attempting to fudge the level of the O’Farrell Government’s contribution to Grafton and Maclean Hospital upgrades, the Nationals candidate in the Clarence by-election, Chris Gulaptis, is obviously aiming for a trifecta.

With a glossy campaign leaflet mail-out which attempts to pass off $3.7 million allocated to the Casino Public School upgrade as one of the Nationals March 2011 election commitments delivered freely and, not what it is in reality, money to cover a staged payment which is part of an existing building contract sealed before the Coalition came to government.

The O’Farrell Government’s 2011-12 budget papers give the game away by referring to the $3.7 million as Continued major building projects at Casino Public School or as the then Nationals MP for Clarence Steve Cansdell put it $3.7 million has been allocated to complete the upgrade of Casino Public School.

One wonders why Gulaptis keeps repeating those tired old 2007 bad habits, until catching sight of one of the good ole boys who have come north to help him out in 2011…….

Photo from Facebook

Teh Opposition Oompah-pah Machine misrepresents Flannery

The Australian newspaper online has gone behind a paywall, but its mindless anti-climate change propaganda still gets exposed.

From The Power Index on 25^th October 2011:

“Professor Flannery has released a statement this afternoon on information relevant to the above.

"The Australian (25 October) portrayed me as a 'backer' of the coal seam gas industry. This is not only wrong, but a serious misrepresentation of my speech to the New South Wales Minerals Council from which the headline was drawn.

What I in fact said at the meeting of environmental workers in the minerals industry is that serious conflicts exist between the coal seam gas industry and landowners, and that the industry faces enormous challenges as a result."

Cansdellgate - more than a mistake

Locals continue to comment on the disgraced former Member for Clarence.

Source: Letters, The Daily Examiner, 25/10/11

Gulaptis attempts to ride on someone else's coat tails

In 2009 a Labor NSW Government announced the creation of the $35 million Community Building Partnership Program.

In 2010 funding for the program was increased to $58.4 million.

On 26 March 2011 the O’Farrell Coalition Government was elected and in its first budget it reduced the Community Building Partnership to $35 million spread over two years, with only $11 million available in the 2011-12 funding round.

In October 2011 the Nationals candidate in the Clarence by-election was seeking to make political capital out of this same program:

APPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS CLOSING SOON 

Nationals Candidate for Clarence Chris Gulaptis today urged organisations to apply for the 2011 Community Building Partnership program before applications close in a fortnight.
Mr Gulaptis said applications for the CBP Program close on Monday 31 October.
“The Community Building Partnerships are vital for moving local projects forward and upgrading essential services,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“It’s important to get the word out about these opportunities for our electorate, especially during this short period where we do not have a local member.
“The deadline is fast approaching, so I would encourage those organisations yet to apply for this important program to make sure they meet the deadline.
“Projects deemed eligible inject will jobs into the region - and boost community participation in a range of programs and facilities.
“Successful applicants must be ready to start work by mid-2012 and projects need to be completed by the end of June 2013.
“As part of the initiative, $300,000 is available for each electoral district with an additional $100,000 available for the 48 electorates with higher levels of unemployment, of which Clarence is included.
“The successful projects in Clarence will be announced by the Premier in March,” Mr Gulaptis said.
Applications can be made online at www.communitybuildingpartnership.nsw.gov.au

MEDIA: Chris Gulaptis 0400 016 590