The downhill spiral of the O"Farrell government has started

When the Chairman and CEO of Infrastructure NSW resign together you know there is a major infrastructure problem in NSW. The downhill spiral of the O’Farrell government has started. 

In a well written piece in todays Daily Telegraph entitled “Top ‘fix-it blokes Nick Greiner and Paul Broad abandon Barry O’Farrell” reporter Andrew Clennell, http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/top-fix-it-blokes-nick-greiner-and-paul-broad-abandon-barry-ofarrell/story-fni0cx12-1226649548418 in effect, exposes Premier Barry O’Farrell for who, in my opinion he really is; just another politician, just interested in being there, providing no intellectual leadership, and no genuine intellectual agenda. 

Nick Greiner and Barry O’Farrell have something in common. Both were elected Premier of NSW on the back of the defeat of long serving Labor governments, which had run out of time as part of the normal democratic political cycle. One can debate ad nauseum the cause of those labor defeats, but governments sooner or later run out of time. But that is where the similarity ends. 

Although Mr Greiner and my views are poles apart, I respect that he had and always does have an intellectual basis for his opinions. In government, Mr Greiner implemented many of his reforms based on his intellectual political philosophy. His direction was relatively short lived, for a number of reasons, some being that in this State conservative and economic rationalist positions are not acceptable to the people of this state. Privatisation, for the sake of it, under the belief that the private sector can always provide affordable public services to the community is not a sustainable policy position that is supported in the community. 

Mr O’Farrell on the other hand has demonstrated no philosophical position in relation to anything. Milking every political advantage that he can from the ICAC allegations, holding up Westconnex and the North West Rail link as Infrastructure successes, having white papers on Planning reform and Local Government. But after more than 2 years as Premier it is all just talk. 

Almost since I have been elected to parliament, I have been warning that the Westconnex is just a line on a map, no costing, no designs, no planning, nothing. As Mr Clennell wrote; “Two years later, not one sod has been turned...” 

I would be the last person to advocate Mr Greiner’s policy positions are correct; but at least he has one. If people, when they elected Mr O’Farrell, believed they were electing a person that could provide genuine intellectual leadership to this state they must certainly be disappointed by now.

Signing of the London Declaration Against Anitsemitism

Today I joined with members from the NSW Parliament in signing the London Declaration on Combating Antisemitism. The preamble to the declaration is as follows:

Preamble:

We, Representatives of our respective Parliaments from across the world, draw the democratic world’s attention to the resurgence of anti-Semitism as a potent force in politics, international affairs and society.

We note the dramatic increase in recorded anti-Semitic hate crimes and attacks targeting Jewish persons and property, and Jewish religious, educational and communal institutions.

We are alarmed at the resurrection of the old language of prejudice and its modern manifestations – in rhetoric and political action – against Jews, Jewish belief and practice and the State of Israel.

We are alarmed by Government-backed anti-Semitism in general, and state-backed genocidal anti-Semitism, in particular.

We, as Parliamentarians, affirm our commitment to a comprehensive programme of action to meet this challenge.

We call upon national governments, parliaments, international institutions, political and civic leaders, NGOs, and civil society to affirm democratic and human values, build societies based on respect and citizenship and combat any manifestations of anti-Semitism and discrimination.

Ron Hoenig MP with Yair Miller, President of the Jewish Board of Deputies

Celebrate 2044 - Tempe, Sydenham and St. Peters

Sunday I was delighted to visit Celebrate 2044: an inaugural community fair hosted by Marrickville Council for communities of St Peters, Sydenham and Tempe. These communities have given me the warmest of welcomes since becoming their State Member last year and I was so pleased to attend the Fair.

Held in Tillman Park at Tempe, the afternoon was a celebration of locally grown produce, entertainment and activities. 

I enjoyed spending time at the Tempe Public School stall talking to parents; listening to music from Kids Church @ St Peters, and learning about the joys and woes of establishing a new restaurant from Irina and Ash of Bai Tong Restaurant, Tempe.

Congratulations to Marrickville Councillors and staff on a tremendous inaugural fair.

Ash Isaac, Ron HoenigMP, Irina Shaw from Bai Tong Thai, Tempe

Tempe Public School P & C Ivan Smith, Ron Hoenig MP, Pauline Futeran & Deputy Mayor, Cr Emmanuel Tsardoulias

Musicians from the Kids Church@ St Peters with Ron Hoenig MP

Australian Arab Business Network

I was delighted today to attend the Australian Arab Business Network (AABN) special business luncheon at Parliament House between the Network and members of the NSW Parliament. The Australian Arab Business Network is essentially a business referral and support network. It provides a casual monthly forum for exchange of information,ideas, support,friendship and business referrals in a climate of honesty and respect. The Network could also provide employment opportunities, through its members, for Australian Arab youth and provide support to worthwhile community projects. President of the Australian Arab Business Network Mr. Hassan Moussa told the luncheon Australia is well positioned to enter into a stronger trade relationship with the Arab world.

Ron Hoenig Heffron Gazzette available for download

Heffron residents should have received my newsletter called the "Ron Hoenig Heffron Gazette". It is available for download at http://tinyurl.com/ap44xos

New draft train timetable should be released for public consultation

The new draft timetable which is set to be implemented in October has been circulated within Transport NSW but commuters are yet to know its content despite it being only 5 months before implementation.

Shadow Transport Minister Penny Sharpe has called for the draft CityRail timetable to be released for public consultation so commuters can have their say.

“I’m calling on Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian to release the draft train timetable so commuters can provide feedback before it is rolled out,” Ms Sharpe said.

“Commuters have a right to know what the new timetable will mean for them.

“What services will be cut? Will smaller stations lose services and how many stations will be skipped in the morning and afternoon peaks?"

“Rail users deserve to know if certain stations will lose direct access to the CBD and if they will be forced to change trains more often".

We have 6 stations in my electorate and many people rely on those stations to get to work, appointments and visit friends and family. Any changes to the time table will need to be fully assessed by commuters.

My fear is many stations will lose services in the name of cost cutting thereby leaving some commuters with longer journey times and more changes to get to their destination.

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian should release the draft CityRail timetable in good faith so commuters right across Heffron can provide feedback.

Commuters spend long enough on the trains each week, they are perfect to provide feedback on what the services should be provided. They should be part of the process not left in the dark.

National Volunteer Week finishes today - Thanks a million to all volunteers

Today completes this year's National Volunteers Week where we had an an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution that volunteers make in the our community.

There are currently more than six million hardworking volunteers in Australia who contribute more than 700 million hours of unpaid work each year to our community

This year's National Volunteers Week theme was ‘Thanks a Million’, and on behalf of the community and I would like to thank our local volunteers for their tireless efforts. Volunteers support our community through a range of activities, from volunteering at the local SES to providing meals, clothing and financial assistance to the needy. 

National Volunteers Week not only provides an occasion to pay tribute to the significant contribution made by volunteers, it also encourages people to seek out opportunities to be a volunteer.

The nominations for the 2013 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award are also now open and will close Friday 30 August, 2013. The NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recognises the outstanding efforts of volunteers in NSW. I encourage locals to nominate a volunteer that is deserving of recognition.

There is always a need for more volunteers in New South Wales. Corporate and small businesses can also take the opportunity to encourage volunteerism amongst their employees by encouraging those with specific skills to donate their time and services.

Volunteering involves not only delivering meals on wheels or coaching a junior soccer team - but people can also volunteer by donating their specific skills such as legal, trade, hospitality or accounting services.” 

For more information regarding volunteering opportunities, please contact the Centre for Volunteering on (02) 9261 3600 or visit www.volunteering.com.au.