We knew nothing! cry Stoner and Gulaptis

The Sergeant Schultz defence has been given an airing by NSW Nationals this week as they seek to hide from their decision to close Grafton Gaol and leave only a small 60-bed remand centre in its place.

This was NSW Deputy Premier and NSW Nationals Leader Andrew Stoner and the Nationals Member for Clarence Chris Would I lie To You? Gulpatis on the subject………

The Daily Examiner in Grafton

5 July 2012:

Chris Gulaptis: “I didn’t know about the closure of the gaol as it was happening….I was not involved in the process. I was not consulted about it”

14 July 2012:

NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner has said in a radio interview he knew nothing about the full extent of the Grafton Jail closure even though it had been in the planning since October last year.

However, it is not ignorance concerning the closure but convenient amnesia which both Stoner and Gulaptis are displaying. As this timeline indicates……

Country Labor November 2011

Leaked documents have confirmed Grafton Gaol heads the list of prisons the NSW Government has been advised to privatise – which would threaten dozens of local jobs and the local economy, Country Labor candidate for Clarence Peter Ellem said today.

NSW Attorney General Greg Hunt

8 November 2011:

Earlier this year the Government commissioned KPMG to conduct an independent review of Corrective Services NSW taking into account historical expenditure and providing funding models. In response, Corrective Services NSW provided advice on factors impacting those expenditures and models, which were further considered by KPMG and included in its review. In order to achieve the efficiency measures that the Government requires, a number of staff positions will be deleted across the whole of Corrective Services—senior management, commissioned officers, correctional officers, industries, offender services and programs, enterprise assets, clerical, administrative and corporate services. Every area of Corrective Services NSW is contributing, including its head office…..The positions at Grafton are representative of positions being deleted at every correctional centre.

14 March 2012:

Today I announce that an independent review into Corrective Services NSW has been finalised, which will ultimately recommend a new organisational structure. Knowledge Consulting, headed by Keith Hamburger, who is a former Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner, conducted the comprehensive review. Its aim was to identify a cost-effective business model for Corrective Services NSW that delivers effective and efficient corrective services in New South Wales while ensuring that the Government's strategic policy objectives, such as the reduction of reoffending, are progressed and realised.

The Daily Examiner in Grafton

27 June 2012:

He said it was part of the State Government's cost cutting drive and the jail's age was also a consideration.

"There are a number of other factors that are just as significant," Mr Gulaptis said.

The MP said the restructure would involve job losses, but he said he was working with the Minister to ensure these were kept to a minimum.

28 June 2012:

Responding to the rumour, Mr Gulaptis said he had been working with Attorney-General Greg Smith on a restructure of the jail that would entail job losses, but he and the Attorney-General would not say how many positions would go.

Didn't know? Don't think so!

Oh, Jeremy!

Jeremy Buckingham‏ @greensjeremy

Have one or two for me @johnkgreens At launch of Cruelty Free shop in Glebe Pt Rd. Vegan teats galore plus @clovermoore http://campl.us/kq7P

Think he meant treats, don't you?

At home with The Dollipotts

NRMA's Open Road: dodgy promotions

    

A Yamba resident contributed a tear jerking yarn to the latest edition of the NRMA's Open Road about her new puppy escaping from her yard. But, thanks to her NRMA Pet Plus policy, the story had a happy ending and she was reunited with her puppy.

It was a great yarn, but there was just one small problem with it. The contributor also happens to be a part owner of the local NRMA business.

So, the question must be asked: why didn't the NRMA observe its duty of disclosure and tell its readers the full story about the contributor having a significant financial interest in the story and the NRMA?

Earlier this year the local newspaper in the Clarence Valley, The Daily Examiner, ran an article about the Yamba NRMA relocating to a new office. The article stated (in part):

Proprietors (names deleted) operate the Yamba NRMA office.

The move next door comes after more than a decade at the old site and proprietor (name deleted) said she was looking forward to welcoming customers to the new location.

"From our new office we'll continue providing the local community with all their NRMA insurance and roadside assistance needs," (name deleted) said.

"Customers can expect to see the familiar, friendly faces in the new office and we're celebrating the move by running a competition."

Sources: Open Road, July/August 2012 and The Daily Examiner, 3/4/12

Australian Government now has full responsibility for Home and Community Care (HACC) services

Department of Health and Ageing media release 1 July 2012:

From 1 July 2012 the Australian Government has full responsibility for Home and Community Care (HACC) services that support more than 500,000 older Australians to live independently in their own homes and communities.

Minister for Ageing, Mark Butler said the transfer of responsibility for HACC services for older people to the Australian Government rationalises the system and paves the way for the reforms outlined in Living Longer Living Better.

“Supporting older Australians to remain living in their own home is a key focus of our recently unveiled Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package.”

“We’re investing an extra $880 million over the next 5 years for 40,000 new home care packages to help older people stay living at home,” Mr Butler said.

“The HACC Program provides a foundation for future aged care reforms and is one of the first steps in the development of a consistent aged care system covering basic care at home through to high-level care in aged care facilities.”

The Commonwealth HACC program replaces the former joint Australian Government and state government-funded HACC program in all states and territories except Victoria and Western Australia, where basic community care services will continue to be delivered under the old arrangements.

State and territory governments will continue to fund HACC services for people under 65 (or under 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).

HACC consumers will continue to receive services from their current provider and remain in the most appropriate care setting regardless of their age.

The Australian Government has allocated more than $1 billion for the Commonwealth HACC program and will continue to support the joint HACC program in Victoria and Western Australia.

More information on the Commonwealth HACC program is available at: www.health.gov.au/hacc

USA CLIMATE CHANGE REALITY 2012

http://youtu.be/b0NrS2L6KcE

http://youtu.be/OmW_EQzU_qI