Speeches

After an agonising fourteen month wait, the Minister for Planning has finally announced the Government’s updated plans for the Sydenham to Bankstown Urban Renewal Corridor.

Notice of Motion regarding 14,000 signatures signatures from commuters and residents opposed to bus privatisation in Region 6 and the call on Government to abandon plans to privatise our inner west bus services. 

We know that all across our State volunteers form the backbone of our communities. Foremost among them are the brave men and women of the State Emergency Service [SES] who put themselves in harm's way to protect our safety and property following storms, floods and natural disasters. 

I speak in debate on the Firearms and Weapons Legislation Amendment Bill 2017. The bill makes changes to the Firearms Act 1996 and the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998. In many respects, the bill introduces changes agreed to in the updated National Firearms Agreement, which emerged from the joint Commonwealth-New South Wales review following the Martin Place siege. 

Ausgrid cowboys should protect our inner west trees. 

For almost 10 years, Ms Ruth Bradfield Ling, principal of Marrickville West Public School, has been fighting alongside parents, students and neighbouring residents for a second set of flashing lights outside the school on Beauchamp Street, Marrickville. 

The Crimes Amendment (Intimate Images) Bill 2017 makes it an offence to, first, record an intimate image without consent; secondly, distribute such an image without the express consent of the person recorded; and, thirdly, threaten to record or distribute an intimate image without consent. 

Students on our university and TAFE campuses are fighting to guarantee an educational experience that is equitable, accessible and safe for all. They are fighting back against university funding cuts and the imposition of trimesters that squeeze them for money while reducing the quality of their education. They are fighting the threat of $100,000 degrees, fed up with politicians who went to university for free repeatedly jacking up their fees. 

This Bill extends to those who are experiencing unimaginable suffering and pain some temporary respite, some dignity and some basic human compassion.

I offer my sincere thanks to Portuguese Australians for all their contributions to our communities and culture. I wish them the best for their national day celebrations on Saturday 10 June 2017.