The Greens issue Clarence By-election challenge in defence of water security

The Greens threw down a political gauntlet in support of their candidate, Janet Cavanaugh, on 1 November 2011 and it would be foolish if any other candidate in the Clarence by-election continued to ignore these issues.

The Daily Examiner 2 November 2011:

THE GREENS have issued a challenge to all contenders for the upcoming Clarence by-election - state your position on mining at the headwaters of the Clarence River.

NSW Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham was in Grafton yesterday in support of Greens candidate for Clarence, Janet Cavanaugh.

The pair raised grave concerns for the Clarence River if a 1.5km x 0.5km open cut antimony mine was approved at Wild Cattle Creek - a tributary of the Nymboida River.

Readings near the proposed mine site, which is being explored by Anchor Resources, have already shown dangerously high levels of antimony and arsenic.

"We are calling on voters to send a message to Barry O'Farrell, letting him know that they want him to rule out mining in the headwaters of the Clarence," Mr Buckingham said. "We're not against all mining but it's got to be responsible mining.

"The risks associated with mining - especially for antimony and gold in the headwaters of the Clarence are too great.

"The experience in the Macleay should be a cautionary tale - you've got an entire river system that's been polluted that's going to be impacted for a millennia to come. "…….

"You would not want to see that happen in the Clarence and put at risk the tourism, the agriculture, the fisheries……..

Mr Buckingham called for a fast-tracking of a Strategic Regional Landuse Policy for the North Coast.

He said the Upper Hunter, New England North West, Central West and Southern Highlands would have SRLPs done out of this year's budget of $2.1 million but he was unsure when the North Coast's policy would be done.

"With the amount of mining and coal seam gas proposed in the Dorrigo Plateau, the Macleay, Clarence Richmond and Tweed Valleys - a SRLP should fast-tracked for the region."

Full article here.

Photograph of Nymboida River from Google Images

A election is a job interview

Would you hire this man?

What one local thinks of the O'Farrell Government health centre funding offer

One local responding to this article:

By EmmaB from Yamba on 25/10/2011

This meager funding offer by the O'Farrell Government is little more than a confidence trick. If the Yamba community were to cast its mind back to not so long ago, it would recall that the Area Health Service CEO stated that if the building were to be established it would only be staffed when money from within the health service's existing budget could be identified and that full staffing of a community health centre would take a number of years at least.
All Yamba would ever see for probably a decade is the few existing health services operating out of Treelands Drive Community Centre transferred to the new building.
Skinner is offering to partly fund a white elephant and it is no accident that she makes this statement in the lead up to the Clarence by-election.
What a hollow sham!

Have former MP Ian Causley and would-be-if-he-could-be-MP Chris Gulaptis agreed to bury the hatchet?

             ... or is it just a PR exercise?

Facebook reveals:

When Ian Causley retired from federal parliament in 2007 National Party loyalists believed they were gifting the seat of Page to the up-and-coming, slay-'em-in-the-aisles, pretty boy Chris Gulaptis. 

However, Labor's Janelle Saffin had different ideas about that.

Gulaptis lost the election, leaving local Nationals shell-shocked. Word had it that the retired MP was not at all amused - he was gutted!.

After all, Gulaptis who had been given the official nod when he comfortably defeated Dr Sue Page for Nationals' preselection, said he felt honoured by the confidence party members had shown in him and he would work to meet their expectations. 

Boy-oh-boy, he let them down in a big way!

So, the $64 question is:  

Can Gulaptis do it all again and lose the Nationals family jewels in Clarence?

Clarence Greens begin campaigning this week

Jeremy Buckingham MLC visits Clarence to highlight dangers posed by coal seam gas and antimony mining

Greens MP, Jeremy Buckingham will visit Clarence with Greens by-election candidate Janet Cavanaugh to highlight the threat mining poses to the region.

Tuesday 1st November

WHAT: Jeremy and Janet highlight the threat the antimony mine at Wild Cattle Creek poses to the Nymboida and Clarence Rivers and communities and industries that rely on these rivers. They will urge voters to use the Clarence by-election to send Barry O'Farrell a message on this issue.

WHEN: 10.30am Tuesday 1st November 2011

WHERE: Clarence River Bank near to the Prince St Wharf.

As the Greens mining spokesperson, Jeremy Buckingham has visited the Wild Cattle Creek antimony mine site, the current gold and antimony mine at Hillgrove, and the toxic antimony processing site at Urunga.

Wednesday 2nd November

WHAT: Launch of the Greens' by-election headquarters at Casino - highlights the issue of coal seam gas for the by-election.

WHEN: 9.30am, Wednesday 2nd November 2011

WHERE: Shop 2, Casino Centre Arcade, Walker St (opposite former Civic Centre)

Jeremy Buckingham is the Deputy Chair of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into coal seam gas and has been prominent opponent of the coal seam gas industry’s plans for expansion. He has introduced a bill into parliament calling for a moratorium on coal seam gas activities.

[CLARENCE GREENS media release, 31 October 2011]

Photo of Janet Cavanaugh from Clarence Greens website

Clarence By-election: Ms Camac show her true colours

The Daily Examiner 31 October 2011 on the subject of the Christian Democratic Party candidate:

SHE represents the Christian Democratic Party in the upcoming Clarence by-election and happens to be the personnel officer who signed a letter to abattoir workers telling them they no longer had jobs in Grafton.

Asked what she could do for displaced meat workers as a Clarence representative, Bethany Camac admitted she wouldn't be able to do much except encourage investment in the area.

"If they don't want to take up the job offer at Casino and sit around and whinge they can sit around and whinge, if they want to get off their bums and get a new job they can do that," she said.

Ms Camac said all workers, including herself, at the South Grafton site had been "offered" jobs at the Northern Co-operative Meat Company in Casino and "there should be enough jobs for everyone".

"Stuart Ramsey has not taken his business outside the electorate of Clarence, he's moved it from Grafton to Casino."

But reports on ABC North Coast yesterday quoted Northern Co-operative Meat Company management as saying there was no transfer of business between Ramsey Food Processing and the Co-operative.

Workers told The Examiner earlier this week they had been informed by Ramsey that they're entitlements would be transferred if they took up jobs at Casino but subsequent inquiries had proven this to be false……

Ms. Camac obviously doesn’t understand the business history of the man who employs her as well as one local writing in the same newspaper issue.

Who else is to blame?

WELL done, Paul McKenzie, for your factual account of what occurred approximately 10 years ago. My husband was also one of the 11 and he still hasn't received his entitlements despite the court ruling. How this man has been able to get away with ignoring the laws and court rulings amazes me.

Regarding the letter from Lyn Ridge, yes he put food on the table - bread and dripping while he dined on caviar. We used up all our savings in the five years my husband worked for Mr Ramsey. You state that it will be a terrible loss for Grafton, but you can't blame one man alone. Pray tell, who else is to blame?

One man has spit the dummy because he can no longer ignore his commitments. Hay for his horses, it seems, is more important than food on the table for employees.

I congratulate The Daily Examiner for the forthright reporting and please continue to do so. There is nothing nice about this man's business practices and the public is entitled to know.

Regarding the letter from Teddy Bowles, I don't recall any negative media reports when the abattoirs reopened, only how good it was for Grafton.

As far as being given financial assistance, $500,000 from public purses isn't bad, then the assistance given by the city council as regards water rates, etc. How much has to be given to one man? He had employees work for less than award wages for three years to help get the place up and running, then wouldn't come to the table to arrange a new agreement up to two years after the expiration of their agreement. In the meantime, the horse stud prospered.

Mr Ramsey is no pauper. Nor would a dinky-di Aussie treat people the way this man does with his "my way or the highway" attitude.

KERRI BROOKS

South Grafton.

Photograph of Ms. Camac from Chrisitian Democratic Party website

UPDATE

The Daily Examiner on 2 November 2011:

Get a job jibe draws angry retort

COMMENTS from the Christian Democratic candidate for Clarence Beth Camac have been described as a disgrace by the president of the union representing displaced South Grafton meatworkers.

Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union president Grant Courtney said Ms Camac's comments, published in Monday's Daily Examiner, had raised "a fair bit of anger from workers at the South Grafton abattoir".

"Ms Camac's comments in relation to pending displaced workers at the abattoir are nothing short of cheap political opportunism and a disgrace," he said. "Any candidate that stands for good Christian values surely would feel for the 200 workers whose futures are now up in the air thanks to a company pulling its operations at Grafton.

"Calling workers whingers is clearly uncalled for and will not assist her in her political aspirations.

"Social justice, support for the community and regional employment should be the principle policy this woman stands for, instead of blurting out misleading statements that reflect mistruths in relation to future employment at Casino.

"Workers at South Grafton do not appreciate commentary from ill-informed industrial relation consultants that have no idea or concern of workers' rights nor their legal entitlements."

 

I see Chris has joined Facebook

Chris Gulaptis has joined Facebook very quietly sometime in the last few days. Which is probably just as well as he hasn’t quite got the hang of why people friend on FB – either they find your site interesting or they want to come up alongside a very popular person.

For a by-election candidate who used to be a local government demagogue politician he doesn’t have much to say and the bulk of the photos he has posted makes us believe that barely a handful of people attended the opening of his campaign office and no-one turned up at the market stall.
Also, that perhaps he has the hots for Andrew Stoner. 

Must do better, Chris!

Anony-mice

Yamba

Guest Speak is a North Coast Voices segment allowing serious or satirical comment from NSW Northern Rivers residents. Email ncvguestpeak at live dot com dot au to submit comment for consideration.

Clarence By-Election Campaign Quote of the Week

“As a local councillor and mayor Chris was a champion for mainstream values against the vocal interest groups that sought to hijack public debate.” {Nationals Chris Gulaptis printed campaign flyer mailed out in late October 2011}

2011 Clarence By-election Scorecard. Part Two - tit for tat

NSW Nationals candidate Chris Gulaptis in the media this week:

In a campaign flyer mailed out across the Clarence electorate - we are already delivering on our election commitments in the Clarence electorate, such as the $3.7 million upgrade to Casino Public School.

Present as a photo opportunity only when -  NSW Minister for Health Jillian Skinner has acknowledged three years after the Garling report highlighted a $70 million shortfall in funding for North Coast health services the deficit is still not being met by the State Government. Mrs Skinner was in Yamba to announce the O'Farrell Government would contribute $1.2 million toward a community health centre for the town. She said the NSW Government had lodged an application for $4.8 million in funding toward the project from the Federal Government's Health and Hospitals fund.

Present as a photo opportunity only when - JILLIAN Skinner has accused the Health Services Union of steering a campaign by paramedics calling for more staff and resources.

Clarence Valley paramedics have told The Daily Examiner the new business plan for the NSW Ambulance Service could result in delayed response times which could lead to deaths. But the NSW Health Minister said the union was encouraging members to highlight their concerns to the media.

"The Health Services Union is conducting a campaign right across the State at the moment," Mrs Skinner said.

She said she accepted the ambulance service, like the health service, could do with more funding, but she said a review of the service that was under way could see positive changes for paramedics.

On a Clarence Valley jobs summit - I have asked for a meeting with the chamber of commerce to see if we can organise a job summit for Grafton that will include all three levels of government as well as local businesses and residents. I will be happy to take these recommendations down to Parliament if I am lucky enough to be elected in November.
"It is only by putting minor differences aside and working together that this electorate can begin to thrive again."

NSW Country Labor candidate Peter Ellem in the media this week:

On Grafton Hospital - Peter Ellem (pictured) today joined Opposition Leader John Robertson and local nurses to demand State funding for orthopaedic surgery and equipment at Grafton Base Hospital. "The O'Farrell Stoner Government must fund orthopaedic surgery and equipment to complement the new federally-funded operating theatres at Grafton Base Hospital," Mr Ellem said. and "The O'Farrell-Stoner Government needs to invest at least $900,000 into refurbishing the pathology unit to ensure the future provision of these services at Grafton Base Hospital."

On the proposed Yamba Health Centre - "I am extremely concerned the O'Farrell-Stoner Government is trying to take local residents for a ride with its bungled funding announcement for the Yamba Community Health Centre," Mr Ellem said. "There wasn't one single cent allocated for this multi-million dollar project in the Budget which was released only one month ago. "The O'Farrell-Stoner Government only wrote to the Commonwealth last week asking them to fund the majority of this poorly planned project. To add insult to injury, the O'Farrell-Stoner Government is only pledging an unbudgeted $1.2 million for a $6-million project.
"The Health Minister has even admitted she has not allocated any future funding to actually provide health services and staff at the centre, should it ever be built.
"As a Yamba resident, I fully support the creation of a Yamba Community Health Centre, but they need to get fair-dinkum about this important project.
"If there is no funding allocated in the Budget and no recurrent funding for services, how does this Government propose to deliver our community health centre?"

On the Grafton meatworks  and Grafton Gaol - Meanwhile, Labor's candidate for Clarence says the State Government must rule out closing the Grafton Jail.

Peter Ellem says the Attorney-General was quizzed about his plans for the state's prisons in Parliament this week.

Mr Ellem says the response left alarm bells ringing. "Well in budget estimates yesterday, the Attorney-General Greg Smith refused to rule out closing further prisons across NSW and Grafton is one of the oldest in NSW," he said. "We've had a jail in Grafton since 1862 and with the closure of the abattoirs, we can't afford another job loss."

NSW Greens candidate Janet Cavanaugh on Facebook and a blog this week:

In the Clarence Greens blog - “One of the key issues we are worried about is the threat posed by mining to our precious water supplies. There is the risk posed by antimony mining on the Dorrigo Plateau to the Coffs-Clarence regional water supply and our estuarine fisheries, and the potential for coal seam gas exploration to drain and poison groundwater reserves as well as wreck important farming land and wildlife habitat.
“Mining needs to be better regulated, to limit these potential impacts. The Greens have introduced a bill to create a 12 month moratorium on coal seam gas exploration across NSW and are calling for a ban on mining within important water catchments.
“The major parties seem unable, or unwilling, to act to protect our land and our water. This by-election is an opportunity for voters to voice their disapproval by casting their vote elsewhere.
The dangers of arsenic and antimony are well documented. “Antimony and many of its compounds are toxic, and the effects of antimony poisoning are similar to arsenic poisoning.... in small doses, antimony causes headaches, dizziness, and depression.’ Wikipedia. According to a 1999 study by the National Academy of Sciences, arsenic in drinking water causes bladder, lung and skin cancer, and may cause kidney and liver cancer. The study also found that arsenic harms the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as heart and blood vessels, and causes serious skin problems. It also may cause birth defects and reproductive problems.
Anchor Resources a Chinese company is proposing to reopen the Wild Cattle Creek mine with a one and a half km open cut. Wild Cattle Creek flows into the Nymboida River, part of the Clarence River system which supplies water from Sawtell to the Clarence estuary. Antimony is found with arsenic. Once antimony and arsenic are leased from the ore and clays they are carried by the high rainfalls of this area to the sea. These elements enter the groundwater in higher than normal concentrations and there are no guarantees they will be permanently contained by ponds or dams at mine sites.

On Facebook - Come on Clarence vote 1 The Greens and let the Government know we don't want CSG wrecking our valleys and water supply!

Independent Wade Walker has made no public statement this week.

Christian Democratic Party candidate Bethany Camac has not made any public statement in the media as yet.

Assessment:

1. Chris Gulaptis continues down a dangerous path. This week his claim that the Nationals delivered $3.7 million in funding to Casino Public School was exposed as merely honouring an existing building contract signed off on by the former NSW Labor Government in 2010 and, the positive announcement of some funding towards a Yamba Health Centre appeared to get little traction within the target community.

While lining up to be included in the frame when a NSW minister does a little union bashing is not a good look and talk of a jobs summit, while probably well-intentioned, had echoes of an earlier Labor campaign.

Relying on the NSW Health Minister to put a Yamba Health Centre media release online rather than doing this himself could be seen as rather lazy.

2. Peter Ellem continues to demonstrate that he understands how to communicate and is to some degree setting the political debate agenda.

3. Janet Cavanaugh is taking her candidature to social media and the local monthly markets. Which at this stage is probably a sensible use of limited resources.

4. Wade Walker by saying nothing (except in the comments section of The Daily Examiner where he goes under a pen name) does himself no good.

4. Bethany Camac remains an enigma wrapped in a mystery, so her status since the March 2011 state election remains unaltered to date.

Rolling Scorecard

Gulaptis -1.5

Ellem 2

Cavanaugh 1.5
Wade Walker 0
Bethany Camac 0

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

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

Just how many assistance packages does Gulaptis want to give racing identity Stuart Ramsey?

In 1998 the NSW Government provided an assistance package to keep the South Grafton Abattoir open:

The NSW Government through the Department of State and Regional Development’s Regional Business Development Scheme (RBDS) provided assistance to Ramsey Holdings Pty Ltd toward costs incurred in reopening the Grafton Abattoir. Assistance was primarily in the form of payroll tax rebates with a contribution also provided toward costs associated with reopening of the facility. Assistance provided was consistent with similar packages provided to other processing operations across the State. The dollar value of the assistance package is commercial in confidence.
(2) Rebates of State charges (payroll tax and stamp duty) have been provided to Ramsey Holdings Pty Ltd.

This assistance was seen as a problem for the Casino meatworks in 1999:

What has limited the production levels is the consequences of the Government’s assistance to Grafton.

This was not the end of government assistance for Stuart Bruce Ramsey down the years.

Sometime in the early 2000s Ramsey Food Processing at Grafton again received financial assistance from  government - along with about 15 other abattoirs.

In 2009 the Meatworkers Union called on:

the people of Grafton to make sure the businesses which they subsidise behave as good corporate citizens………..

"The people of Grafton paid extra on their water bills to assist Mr Ramsey's business get on its feet. The people of NSW paid further by workers compensation and regional development assistance.

Now the Nationals candidate in the forthcoming Clarence by-election, Chris Gulaptis, would like taxpayers to again put their hands in their pockets to keep Stuart Ramsey afloat (while he plays elsewhere at the very expensive sport of kings) and with NSW Country Labor work together towards an assistance package and he appears to be looking at the NSW Regional Industries Investment Fund to supply some of this cash handout.

Mr. Gulaptis’ plunge into voters pockets will have to be a big one, as any assistance package would probably have to compensate for the sums hinted at in that foolish thought bubble by Nationals spokesperson Clarence Duty MLC Rick Colless, who has in effect, told the ABC that the NSW Liberal-Nationals Coalition Government was prepared to subvert the authority of the Court by dismissing the fines imposed [on Ramsey] by the New South Wales Land and Environment Court in August last year.

No-one wants to see 200 abattoir workers thrown on the scrapheap - but is Stuart Ramsey (with his history of health and safety violations, water pollution convictions and repeated breaches of workers rights) the man to fix the problem he himself has caused?

_____________________

Now over the years not all abattoirs have received such favourable financial treatment as the Ramsey business, so what has been his route to political influence with both Labor and Coalition state governments?

Well, in the first instance, for a good many years the abattoir was in a seat held by a NSW Labor Minister and then by a Nationals MP. However, there may be one other little known political byway trodden by Stuart Ramsey of the Hunter Valley, NSW as he merrily breeds and races thoroughbred horses.

Thoroughbred Breeders of the Hunter Valley have an official lobbyist on the NSW Government Register of Lobbyists.

Thoroughbred Breeders NSW includes the Ramsey horse stud on its honour role, through his company Ramsey Pastoral Co Pty Ltd. This state organisation represents breeders at all meetings and committees with governmental bodies throughout NSW and Australia.

Ramsey’s horse stud is also listed with Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, the peak national body for all Australian thoroughbred breeders.

Retired Nationals MP Peter McGauran is CEO of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.

Of these three organisations I can find a record of only one making a political donation at state level in 2010 and, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia only donated to one state political party – the Nationals.

The Casino Times takes Nats colour coordination too far?

In The Casino Times on 20th October 2011 - a picture in purple is Nats hopeful Chris Gulaptis with skin tone and tie tastefully coordinated.
Or is this a Gulpatis campaign team blooper?

Ellem calls for support of local abattoir workers

NSW Country Labor website in October 2011:

“Country Labor candidate for the Clarence by-election, Peter Ellem today expressed his concern for up to 200 local abattoir workers set to lose their jobs – and called on the Liberal State Government to invest in the region to support local jobs.

"This is devastating news for the South Grafton Abattoir workforce – many of whom have mortgages to pay and families to look after," Mr Ellem said.

"While I understand some of the workers may be able to work in Casino, we need to ensure all affected workers are given immediate support and assistance.

"The O'Farrell Stoner Government needs to immediately act to ensure these hardworking people are not cast adrift in the lead up to Christmas.

"The loss of up to 200 jobs at the South Grafton abattoir comes on top of news that the unemployment rate for Northern NSW has risen from 6 per cent to 6.3 per cent in August alone.

"I'm calling on the O'Farrell Stoner Government to immediately pump support services into Grafton to help these workers and their families get back on their feet.

"It is absolutely vital we respond quickly to these job losses - the Government must intervene and provide training, financial advice and support services to these workers right away."

Ramsey's destructive dummy spit creates political problem for Nationals in Clarence By-election

Ramsey Food Processing and Stuart Bruce Ramsey's response to recent court proceedings which went against them resulted in an announcement that 'Ramsey Group' was closing the South Grafton abattoir and moving its meat processing business to Casino with the loss of around 200 jobs from the Clarence Valley economy.

Ramsey has existing business interests in Casino as Ramsey Wholesale Meats Pty Ltd and Ramsey Holdings Pty Ltd are already based there.

Hot on the heels of various court judgments (including a finding of contempt, a $130,000 fine and a order to compensate sacked workers) a Ramsey spokesperson attempted to blame state government for the decision to abandon Grafton in favour of Casino.

The local response to this explanation of a move which is going to hit the bottom line of many Grafton businesses was quick and definite - Ramsey had only himself to blame.

That the Nationals find this a politically sensitive issue is evidenced by the extraordinary assertion of Clarence Duty MLC, Rick Colless, that the O'Farrell Government was prepared to subvert the authority of the Court by dismissing the fines imposed by the New South Wales Land and Environment Court in August last year.

As Mr. Ramsey has apparently rejected this offer one can only suppose that he was angling for a higher level of financial support from the NSW Government than that represented by this proposed waiver. 

Leaving the NSW Nationals attempting to blame the punitive measures that the previous government had imposed upon them, the fines that they had imposed upon them for the loss of so many local jobs. Rather than placing the blame squarely where it belongs -on Ramsey's poor business decisions.

As well as chasing Ramsey cap in hand to see if they can throw more money at him, as the political pain widens in the Clarence electorate and the epitaph mongrels is freely tossed about:

Nationals' State Leader and Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner was already working on a "co-ordinated response" to the abattoir closure, he said.

The Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services would seek a meeting with the owners of the Ramsey Abattoir next week, a spokesman for Mr Stoner said.

"This meeting will involve discussions about the circumstances of the abattoir's closure and determine whether the NSW Government can assist any businesses and individuals affected by the job losses that may result from the proprietor's decision to relocate to Casino," Mr Stoner said.

[The Daily Examiner, Abattoir jobs cut Closure is 'final straw': Small businesses are already struggling: Chamber,22 October 2011,p1]

While the Nationals candidate in the forthcoming by-election (and well-known supporter of the former Howard Goverment's WorkChoices laws) Chris Gulaptis also ignores the Ramsey Group's long history of worker exploitation and Stuart Ramsey's lucrative horse racing interests when he offers this excuse for Ramsey in The Casino Times on 20 October 2011:

"This is a sad outcome for everyone involved and really marks the end of a long and difficult situation going back a number of years over some waste management issues...
It is my understanding that significant investment would have been required in the plant to meet environmental requirements and that, given the economic uncertainty both in Australia and globally, the owners were not able to make that investment."

Of course, the Coalition has always been a friend to Stuart Ramsey. This is Liberal MLC Charlie Lynn lobbying on the floor of the NSW Parliament in 2001:

The news for Mr Ramsey's abattoir is that his business costs for workers compensation are about to double. I will say that again for the benefit of Country Labor members: Mr Ramsey's workers compensation business costs are about to double......
In the last three years the Grafton abattoir has paid $500,000 a year in workers compensation premiums. It has had to pay out on claims of $120,000. It cares for its workers' safety and welfare—they are family, it is a genuine concern.

UPDATE - Some background:

A year when Stuart Ramsey actually liked a NSW Government - it was giving him money.

Saffin furious about Gulaptis incorrect claims over funding for Grafton Base

Saffin furious about Gulaptis incorrect claims over funding for Grafton Base

Page MP Janelle Saffin said it is outrageous that Clarence National Party candidate, Chris Gulaptis, is still trying to promote himself by incorrectly aligning himself with millions of dollars in funding for Stage 2 of Grafton Base Hospital, despite the facts being made clear.

“Mr Gulaptis had absolutely nothing to do with the funding, which may be why he got the amount wrong, saying $9 million when it is $10 million.

“Local people know better than Mr Gulaptis where the money has come from.

“I lobbied for the money for Stage 2, to provide the new X-Ray department along with 6 orthopaedic beds and a kitchen.

“Federal Health minister, Nicole Roxon, provided $6 million and the then State Health Minister, Carmel Tebbutt, provided the $4 million.

“I personally thanked the Treasurer Eric Roozendaal for securing the funds, and I have a copy of the letter that Mr Roozendaal wrote to Minister Tebbutt last November, confirming that the money was secured.

“So if Mr Gulaptis got the figure wrong, and where the money came from, with such a key development for Grafton, we have to ask, what else he has got wrong.

“I cannot let this rest. 

“By trying to claim this as O’Farrell Government funding, Mr Gulaptis is not being straight with the people he hopes to represent.

“When he was caught out making this tricky claim, he should have admitted his mistake.

“In public life there are principles that we expect to be upheld, - including giving credit where it is due, and admitting your mistakes. 

“If you make a mistake, you say it.  I do and so did former Clarence MP, Steve Cansdell.

“Steve and I had sometimes had our differences, but we worked together for our local community and always acknowledged the efforts of all those who worked to bring better services, especially in health.

“Come clean Chris and put right a wrong.

“Am I furious?  You bet.”

[Media release, 20 October 2011]                                         

2011 Clarence By-Election Scorecard. Part 1 - Opening Salvos

Opening salvo from NSW Nationals candidate Chris Gulaptis in ABC News item on 17 October 2011:

"So we've got $9 million for the Grafton Base Hospital's orthopaedic ward, $1.2 million for Maclean Hospital as well, $4 million for the Grafton Bridge,"….

"So there's money coming into this electorate right now and it's important that we continue to serve the people this way and that's what I'm trying to do as the Nationals' candidate."

Opening salvo from NSW Country Labor candidate Peter Ellem in ABC News item on 17 October 2011:

"He's the man who in 2007 described WorkChoices as a positive move," ….

"The Nationals chose a candidate yesterday who will do the bidding of the Liberal Party which has taken control of the new Coalition Government, a Government which is no friend of working people."

Opening salvo from the NSW Greens candidate Janet Cavanaugh in a media release on 18 October 2011:

“It is time to clean up NSW politics,” she said. “The Greens have a history of maintaining ethical stands across a range of issues. By acting with integrity, The Greens offer a better way of doing politics and this will result in better outcomes for the electorate.
“One of the key issues we are worried about is the threat posed by mining to our precious water supplies. There is the risk posed by antimony mining on the Dorrigo Plateau to the Coffs-Clarence regional water supply and our estuarine fisheries, and the potential for coal seam gas exploration to drain and poison groundwater reserves as well as wreck important farming land and wildlife habitat.

Opening salvo of Independent Wade Walker in a The Daily Examiner article on 19th September:

He said he wanted to run as an independent because it would allow him to best represent the Clarence electorate without having to make concessions to an overall party policy - he said areas such as health, emergency services and the Pacific Highway upgrade would be among the key areas he would campaign on.

* Recent telephone polling by ReachTel suggests that a Christian Democratic Party candidate might eventually declare an intention to stand, but to date there is no name in the public arena.

Assessment:

1. Chris Gulaptis stumbles as he leaves the gate.

a) The bulk of this alleged $9 million for Grafton Base Hospital comes not from The Nationals or the O’Farrell Government, but from the Federal Labor Government as officially set out here in September 2011:

This Implementation Plan provides for the Commonwealth’s financial contribution of $6 million toward a $10 million upgrade of the Grafton Base Hospital. The New South Wales Government will contribute the remaining $4 million to this project.

Commonwealth funding is provided to New South Wales to establish a new four bed orthopaedic surgical ward and a new medical imaging unit at Grafton Base Hospital.
With the state's $4 million contribution being previously pledged by the former NSW Labor Government.

b) As for Maclean District Hospital, in March this year the hospital itself had a slightly different perspective:

The redevelopment is largely the result of a “very generous” bequeath that was left to the hospital, according to Dan Madden, executive officer of the Maclean hospital. Commonwealth funding has also come through over the last year for emergency departments Australia-wide, and the Maclean Hospital Auxiliary had also been effective and generous with its fundraising, he said.

c) Whilst the actual state funding set aside for a second Grafton Bridge appears intended to refine the preliminary route options for a second crossing point which initial NSW Roads & Traffic Authority had previously identified - so any new bridge is still far into the future:

Through studies, surveys and consultation, the RTA has been unravelling the tangled web of 41 crossing options suggested by the community during surveys conducted since December last year. Project manager Chris Clark said the 25 sites remaining from the original 41 would now undergo further engineering and environmental investigations to assess their feasibility.
d) When publicly called on his statements concerning hospital funding Chris Gulaptis defended himself by saying he was quoting his disgraced predecessor; Mr Gulaptis defended the figures he quoted, claiming they were in a press release Mr Cansdell sent out before his resignation on September 16.

2. Peter Ellem by keeping his observations to a minimum has fared better.

On the matter of opponent’s support for WorkChoices he is merely citing the facts as these 2007 Gulaptis quotes show:

a) The Nationals MP, Ian Causley, is retiring and the party's new candidate, Chris Gulaptis, says Work Choices is positive for the electorate.

b) He says any controversy over the WorkChoices IR laws is union-driven."IR isn't the dominant issue in the electorate, and if the Labor candidate was out and about, she'd certainly know that,"

c) When defending WorkChoices Chris Gulaptis said: "Northern Rivers residents moved to the region accepting they would be paid lower wages as part of the trade-off for living in one of the most desirable parts of Australia".   

 d) New figures confirming the North Coast is enjoying the fastest employment growth in Australia underline the local benefits of the Coalition’s economic management and workplace reforms, according to Page Nationals candidate Chris Gulaptis.

3. Janet Cavanaugh went where both major party candidates have thus far been too timid to travel and, is reflecting voter concerns which cross more than one demographic. Mining on the NSW North Coast is currently a topical issue.
If this election campaign progresses along similar lines to past elections then both major parties will cravenly let The Greens do the heavy lifting on environmental issues and rarely speak out publicly, while privately assuring voters that they are really 'green' at heart themselves.

4. Wade Walker was probably the first to publicly declare that he was definitely standing in the 19 November Clarence By-election.
However, apart from the initial statement, he does not appear to have managed to get anything else into the local mainstream media.

Elsewhere Walker has been more prolific and he can be found on Pauline Hansen's website on 26 September encouraging her to stand for Clarence;

please stand in the seat of clarence nsw by election the nats are on the nose.

One has to worry about the genuineness of the candidate's desire to contest this particular election

* Three of the four self-declared candidates went on to say something about crime rates and police numbers. However, Labor's Peter Ellem was first out the gate last week with a community petition for more police in Grafton, Casino and Yamba, thereby stealing a march on the the Nationals, Greens and Independent.

Scorecard

Gulaptis  -1

   Ellem        1.5

    Cavanaugh 1
       Wade Walker 0
             Bethany Camac 0

Update:

Bethany Camac was identified today as the Christian Democratic Party candidate. Bethany stood at the March 2011 NSW state election. She is yet to make any by-election campaign statement which has been picked up by the media, so comes in with an equal zero rating with Wade Walker.