Friday 21 November 2008
Kevin Rudd discovers Blogotariat
Thursday 20 November 2008
Saffin hosts climate change information night for Northern Rivers, Ballina 21 November 2008
Northern Rivers Social Development Council finds Rees mini-budget lacklustre
This media release more or less says it all about the NSW Government mini-budget. Lacklustre Budget Fails To Inspire |
Northern Rivers Social Development Council has welcomed today's NSW Budget announcements on new infrastructure but expressed disappointment at the lack of spending on key priorities for the region. According to NRSDC President, Jenny Dowell, there are some positives in the Budget. 'The region will receive a $1Million increase in funding for community transport. This will go some way towards meeting the needs of older people and those living with disability,' Ms Dowell said. 'We welcome new funding for health infrastructure including the modest boost to acute mental health services – this is badly needed in our region,' said Ms Dowell. 'We are also relieved that the government will provide indexation of 3.3% to disability services and NGOs funded by the Department of Community Services. This will help vital community organisations maintain current services against high inflation,' Ms Dowell said. 'However, we are very worried that non-government transport and health services will receive indexation of only 2.5%. In real terms this is a cut in funding,' said Ms Dowell. NRSDC CEO, Tony Davies, points out that there is very little new money in the budget. 'Unfortunately, the claims of record spending on Health, Housing, Disability, Transport, Preschools and Community Services, are largely spin,' Mr Davies said. 'What the government has done is re-announce previous commitments. We are pleased that the government is investing in the services that help our community, but some of these initiatives have been announced four or five times. We would have liked to see more action to address new and emerging community needs,' Mr Davies said. 'There are significant gaps that this budget still does not address. Worryingly there is scant detail about projects to support regional areas with many of the big ticket infrastructure items going to metropolitan centres,' said Mr Davies. Areas where NRSDC would have liked to see greater investment include:
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NSW forestry - not good enough Minister!
- There have been no annual reports submitted on NSW Forest Agreements since 2002 despite a legal requirement to do so.
- The five-year review was legally required for the UNE, LNE and Eden forest Agreements in 2004 and is only now being commenced.
- The eight-year review of timber volumes required by the UNE and LNE Forest Agreements in 2006 was not conducted, and new long-term (20 year) wood supply contracts were signed without a review of volumes.
- There have been no threatened species prosecutions of Forests NSW by DECC for five years, despite numerous legitimate complaints by the community.
- There have been massive shortfalls and time delays in meeting the requirements of the National Forest Policy Statement.
- The Government has failed to meet many of the key milestones and targets set down in the NSW Forest Agreements.
- There is a clear bias in those milestones that have been achieved towards the interests of the timber industry and against conservation interests.
- Key conservation outcomes required by the Agreements have not been met – including proper protection of high conservation value Crown lands and assessment of the World Heritage potential of our northern and southern eucalypt forests.
- The Forestry and National Park Estate Act 1998 has a requirement for a five year review which has not occurred.
- Numerous key elements of the Commonwealth-State Regional Forest Agreements for NSW have also not been met, including the five-year review, the annual reports and other important provisions (including a timber review and world heritage assessment).
- The review of the FAs and IFOAs will be a case of the Ministers reviewing their own failings and shortcomings. An independent review is required.