An election date set for November 24, and lots of other news too. But its also a good time to update your details too!
Bondi on its way to National Heritage Listing
Funding flows under National Plan for Water Security Chief Rabbi of Israel visits local school Kincoppal Girls campaign against Whaling on You tube
Woollahra Public receives $1.7 million Federal grant New federal funding for Aids Council of NSW Randwick Council NSW Finalist in Keep Australia Beautiful Contest Point Zero Fundraiser
New PET/CT Scanner for St Vincents Independent Site Supervisor and Expert Panel Appointed Small Equipment Grants for Wentworth New Solar City takes off in Adelaide
The Election Choice
The election is set: Saturday November 24. So over the next six weeks, Australians will be focussing on their choice between an experienced Coalition team of proven capacity on the one hand, or an inexperienced Labor team, 70% of whom are former trade union officials.
Labor’s record in Government is well understood by those Australians who recall the recessions “we had to have” courtesy of the Hawke/Keating era and for those who were too young to remember Federal Labor’s dismal track record, we need only look at the track record of the various State Labor Governments around Australia.
And the choice is also about balance – or rather putting at risk the checks and balances in our federal system.
State Labor Governments have failed to respond effectively to the problems of water scarcity, poor public transport and public hospitals – we cannot open a newspaper without being reminded of their neglect. If Labor governments’ mismanagement is a problem, does the solution lie in electing another Labor Government so that around Australia the same clique of trade union officials is in charge of every Government?
The choice is also about results. I have learned over the years that the best plan, be it in business or government, can be brought undone by poor management.
Our nation faces enormous challenges and opportunities. The competence and the capacity of our Government is a critical element in responding to them – as the Prime Minister said earlier today the issue is not to choose a "new Government" but the "right government."
Just in my own portfolio area of environment and water - who is better able to ensure our emissions trading scheme delivers the maximum cuts in emissions at the least economic cost? Who is better able to ensure that the vision of the National Plan for Water Security is realised?
Who is better able to ensure the next global climate change agreement is effective and able to achieve the massive cuts in emissions the world needs? And who is better able to negotiate a fair deal for Australia? Who can you count on to stand up for Australia?
I have no doubt that our team is the right one to ensure a prosperous, secure and sustainable future for all Australians.
Over the last three years I have had the great honour to represent the people of Wentworth – a community in which Lucy and I have brought up our children and lived all our lives. This is the best part of the best country in the world.
But it takes hard work and determined representation to keep it that way, and make it better still.
Just since our last newsletter we have had some more good news of local achievements – showing a continuing commitment to deliver results for the people of Wentworth. Bondi Beach for Heritage Consideration We were down at the the Bondi Icebergs Club on 1 October, but not for the regular winter races. With Tom Harley, Chairman of the Australian Heritage Council, I was there to announce that Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach will be assessed in 2007-08 by the Australian Heritage Council for inclusion in the National Heritage List. Bondi Beach is an Australian icon, everything about it speaks of great Australian values, be it the egalitarianism of the beach or the heroism and service of the lifesavers. And it belongs to the whole world too. As I heard one young Irishman say to his mate on the 380 bus “Sure Pat, I’ve just found a flat in County Bondi.” Read more here October a big month for solar Fresh from the announcement of new 30,000 gigawatt hour Clean Energy Target, the solar energy sector had some more good news. I went to South Australia to launch Adelaide’s Solar City focussed on the city of Salisbury and adjacent areas. The Solar City programme has been rolled out around Australia and includes Blacktown in Sydney, Townsville, Central Victoria, Alice Springs as well as Adelaide. Each Solar City involves a partnership between the Australian Government, local governments and businesses promoting solar energy and energy efficiency. See more here Kincoppal Girls Campaign Against Whaling on Youtube We released a new video making Australia’s case against whaling and subtitled it in Japanese as well. The front line against whaling is in Japan. If we can encourage a shift in Japanese public opinion against whaling, then our prospects of totally eliminating whaling, be it commercial or “scientific”, will be dramatically improved. The girls of Kincoppal Rose Bay feature in the video and their appearance noted around the world including The Financial Times of London, no less! Those charismatic young anti-whaling sisters Skye and Ayesha Bortoli are also in the video – between them and the Kincoppal girls, I am sure the anti-whaling cause is making great progress around the world. See the video here and check out the new saveourwhales interactive website for kids here $1.7 million for Woollahra Public School I am delighted to announce that Woollahra Public School has received a $1.7 million Federal Government grant to assist them in the construction of a hall, outdoor learning centre and a canteen. Woollahra Public is a great school - winner of the best loved tree in Wentworth contest among its many triumphs - and its commitment to sustainability is really inspiring. Federal Funding for ACON I visited the Aids Council of NSW (ACON) to congratulate them on receiving Federal Government funding of $313,000 over three years for drug addiction counselling targeting crystal methamphetamine. ACON is a community-based organisation promoting the health and wellbeing of a diverse gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and a leading agency in HIV/AIDS policy development and program delivery. Point Zero Fundraiser Point Zero provides innovative programs that empower, support and educate young people, especially in Wentworth. I was delighted to speak at their recent and very successful fundraiser in Double Bay at which leading neurologist Dr Charlie Teo gave a most compelling address on his work. Earlier this year, Lucy launched the new Point Zero Youth Outreach Van which we also sponsored. For more information on Point Zero click here PET/CT at St Vincent's Hospital The new PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computerised Tomography) at St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst was officially launched and blessed last week. Sister Jacinta was kind to invite me to offer my congratulations to the team. The $3 million PET/CT machine was installed after 15 years of planning. PET/CT scans produce the most accurate information for detecting the spread of many types of cancer. This can help prevent unnecessary surgery for advanced cancer, or conversely, help determine the best treatment by assessing results at various stages of care. Congratulations to Sister Jacinta Fong and the wonderful team at St Vincent's for all the vitally important life-saving work they do. Volunteer Small Equipment Grants for Wentworth I visited Eastside Arts in Paddington and congratulated their General Manager, Chris Fischer, on receiving a volunteer small equipment grant of $2271.82 from the Federal Government. Eastside Arts, a program of the Paddington Uniting Church, will purchase a coffee machine and trolley. See photo here Five other groups in Wentworth received volunteer small equipment grants:
Ransa Sydney Squadron Ltd Centennial Parklands Foundation Bays Junior Rugby Union Football Club Inc McAuley Junior Rugby Football Club Greening Woolloomooloo Inc.
Yours Sincerely
Malcolm Turnbull