November 2005 Newsletter
Tomorrow, Tuesday 8 November at 6.30 pm there will be a public meeting at the Town Hall in Sydney to discuss the House Environment Committee's Report on Sustainability Cities. The Lord Mayor Clover Moore will speak as will the WA Sustainability Commissioner and public transport expert, Professor Peter Newman .
This should be a very interesting evening especially given recent developments in Sydney which underline the need for national leadership to ensure our cities move towards, rather than away from, sustainable development. I hope you can come.
Parliament has three more weeks of sitting this year with a legislative programme dominated by the Work Choices industrial relations reform legislation, and the Anti-Terror Bills. I spoke on a short Anti-Terror Bill last week, and expect to speak at more length on the larger Bill in the course of this week.
Over the last month I have spoken at the National Press Club about sustainable cities, following on from the House Environment Committee's report, at the Queensland University of Technology on tax reform, at the Master Builders' annual awards dinner on housing for an ageing community as well as speaking in the House on the anti terror legislation, the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza,the mismanagement of New South Wales by the State Labor Government, the Bali Bombings and at the ceremony at Victoria Barracks last Friday when General Peter Cosgrove and I presented Medals commemorating the 60 th anniversary of end of World War II to 95 veterans, war widows and widowers from our Wentworth Community. All these speeches are on my website in the Speeches section here .
On Thursday night, 10 November, Waverley Area Youth Service is holding a fundraiser which I hope you can attend also.
Apart from a busy time Parliament over the last month and in Wentworth , I have spoken at public meetings, mostly on tax reform and economic subjects, in Newcastle , Albury, Deniliquin, the Gold Coast, Brisbane , Adelaide as well as in Sydney itself.
Other news in this newsletter include:
Wentworth 's newest community park at Camp Cove
More Federal Funding for Wentworth 's Public Schools
Remembering the Victims of the Bali Bombing
Farewelling HMAS Parramatta on deployment to the Gulf ,
More Dog Blogs ! , and
A note about this newsletter, how to edit your details or (sob) unsubscribe .
Work Choices
On Wednesday, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Kevin Andrews , introduced the WorkChoices legislation in the House of Representatives.
WorkChoices is part of the Howard Government's plan to promote more flexible and efficient workplaces
Nearly ten years of continued economic reform has ensured we now have one of the strongest economies in the world. We have created over 1.7 million new jobs and Australia 's unemployment rate has reached a 30 year low.
For more information on WorkChoices go here .
Saluting Wentworth's Veterans
On Friday, on behalf of the Federal Government, I presented World War II Commemorative Medals to 95 Wentworth veterans, war widows and widowers at the Officers Mess at Victoria Barracks in Paddington. Together with their family and friends and representatives from local RSLs more than 350 Wentworth residents were present.
General Peter Cosgrove AC MC , the recently retired Chief of the Defence Force joined me to present the medals. Our speeches can be found here .
The Medal has been specially commissioned by the Australian Government and produced by the Royal Australian Mint as part of the commemoration of the end of World War II.
It was an opportunity for our community to recognise the courage and commitment of those who defended Australia and secured the freedom we enjoy today.
The Australian Army Band performed at the ceremony and was a fitting tribute to a generation whose service remains an example to all Australians of courage, commitment and sacrifice.
Photos from the ceremony will be up shortly in the photo gallery section of my website.
Wentworth 's Newest Community Park
Wentworth 's newest community park at the former Marine Biological Station at Camp Cove near Watson 's Bay will be officially opened on 20 November.
The announcement was made during a visit to the site with my colleague Greg Hunt , the Parliamentary Secretary with ministerial responsibility for the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
This demonstrates the Federal Government's commitment to enhancing our local environment. Families in Wentworth will be able to enjoy improved access to the harbour front and Camp Cove Beach .
More Federal Funding for Wentworth's Public Schools
The Howard Government has approved a capital infrastructure grant of $80,853 to Rose Bay Public School and $48,680 to Bronte Public School under the Investing in our Schools Programme.
The grant for Rose Bay Public School will be used for an ICT upgrade, an outdoor area upgrade and for resurfacing under the play equipment. The grant for Bronte Public School will be used for an ICT upgrade.
This is an indication of the importance the Howard Government places on developing school infrastructure.
Bali Memorial at Dolphins Point, Coogee
I recently represented the Prime Minister at a service at the Bali Memorial at Dolphins Point in Coogee to commemorate the third anniversary of the Bali Bombing. The most recent bombing only a few days before was a cruel reminder of the dangers of terrorism in our region.
The Bali Memorial is set on the northern headland of Coogee Beach , named Dolphins Point after the members of the local Dolphins Football Club who died in the bombing. It is a tranquil place of remembrance for the survivors and the families of those who died. While it reminds us of the tragic bombing, the Memorial speaks of love, community and courageous resilience in the face of tragedy
A new plaque was unveiled at the ceremony with a photo engraving of each of the 20 Eastern Suburbs victims. The ceremony also included a moving tribute from Peter Singer whose young son Tom had died in the blast. At the conclusion of the ceremony, white doves of peace were released into the rainy sky.
I spoke in a Condolence Motion in Parliament on the Bali bombings here
Farewell to HMAS Parramatta
On October 10, I represented the Minister for Defence to farewell HMAS Parramatta from Garden Island as it left for deployment in the Persian Gulf. It was a very moving occasion, full of pride and sadness as wives and husbands, parents and children said farewell to the ship's company. My speech to the ship's company is here.
Dog Blogs Update
The RSPCA has endorsed the Turnbull Dogs' Website.
Claire Munro , the Media Manager at the RSPCA NSW said:
"The RSPCA is delighted to be involved with Malcolm Turnbull 's dog blogs and supports the positive animal welfare message contained on the website. We encourage responsible pet ownership and support the fun way the dogs are spreading the message of the responsible care of our pets."
Two of the RSPCA animals have written to the Turnbull dogs, one is Mr Bob , a brown Chihuahua and the second is a 200kg pig called Winston!
The dogs continue to update their blogs , more often than I update my own I am ashamed to say!
WAYS Fundraiser
On behalf of Waverley Action for Youth Services ( WAYS), I invite you to a cocktail party with special guest comedian, Vince Sorrenti , to raise funds for homeless youth in Wentworth .
Please join us at "Bar Pacifica " at the Eastern Hotel, 500 Oxford Street in Bondi Junction, from 6.30-9.30pm on Thursday 10 November . A donation of $50.00 would be most appreciated. All donations are tax deductible.
I hope to see you for a night of entertainment, refreshments and music. RSVP to Vanessa at WAYS on 9365 2500 or at ways@ways.org.au
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