Launch of Unions NSW maternity leave campaign at Ballina

In The Far North Coaster online magazine yesterday.

"The Federal Member for Page, Janelle Saffin, says it is appalling that in 2008 Australia has no universal paid maternity leave.
At the launch of Unions NSW maternity leave campaign at Ballina’s Fox Street Pre-School today, Ms Saffin said she agreed that six months paid leave would be the ideal because it was consistent with breastfeeding.
“I support the Government in referring the matter to the Productivity Commission because that’s the best way to investigate the social and economic costs and benefits,” she said.
The Productivity Commission Inquiry is to identify the models for paid maternity, paternity and parental leave.
Ms Saffin said there needed to be public funding.
“In Page, we have about 10,000 small businesses and they can’t afford to be paying the costs of maternity leave,” she said."

I don't think the Page electorate is in any doubt that we now have a federal member who is willing to go to bat for us all and, one who has quickly established a good relationship with Northern Rivers media.
Her first eight months on the job have been remarkable for the level of positive media coverage.
Having a former editor on staff helps I'm sure.

WYD 08: Pope warns world against the dangers of Angel Food Cake!

On SBS World News Hour last night an excerpt from the papal mass was shown in which the world heard Pope Benedict (with an unfortunate stress on the first syllable) warn the young about a growing spiritual dessert [sic].

In the interests of public safety, posted below is the likely culprit - Black & White Angel Food Cake.
Please report any sighting immediately to the nearest bishop.

Photograph from Culinary in the Desert Country.

Another round of free energy audits for low-income households and supply of some energy saving devices

If you have a Centrelink or Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card and haven't has your house audited to see how you can save energy and money, here is your chance to participate this year.

According to the NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change [June 2008] it will begin free audits on the NSW North Coast in November.

NSW households spend as much as $32 per week on gas and electricity, on top of transport fuel costs. Over the next five years the NSW Government will help the most vulnerable households to save energy and money to buffer them against rising energy prices.
Through the NSW $63 million Low Income Household Refit Program, 220,000 households will receive an energy efficiency audit, refit kits that include water and energy saving devices and advice, and information on purchasing more efficient appliances.

Quoted in The Daily Examiner last week, a departmental spokesperson also included draught-proofing doors and windows in this offer.

Contact details were listed in The Daily Examiner as:
Phone 1300 631 967 or email ccf@environment.nsw.gov.au and put "household refit" in the subject line.

Nice work if you can get it: ANZAC Top 40 rich list

t#1 Andrew Forrest
Net Worth ($bil): 6,600 More on Andrew Forrest

#2 Graeme Hart
Net Worth ($bil): 5,400 More on Graeme Hart

#3 James Packer
Net Worth ($bil): 5,300 More on James Packer

#4 Frank Lowy
Net Worth ($bil): 4,400 More on Frank Lowy

#5 Harry Triguboff
Net Worth ($bil): 2,700 More on Harry Triguboff

#6 Gina Rinehart
Net Worth ($bil): 2,400 More on Gina Rinehart

#7 Richard Pratt
Net Worth ($bil): 2,100 More on Richard Pratt

#8 John Gandel
Net Worth ($bil): 2,000 More on John Gandel

#9 Kerr Neilson
Net Worth ($bil): 1,900 More on Kerr Neilson

#10 Stanley Perron
Net Worth ($bil): 1,800 More on Stanley Perron

Rest of the Australia-New Zealand Top 40 at Forbes.com here
With pictures of what super-rich looks like.