Devil in the Detail

How many of you readers have asked yourselves and your friends WHY this, or
Why that, is happening at the Macquarie street level? Especially when we
all know that the consensus of opinion across the public spectrum is
diametrically opposed to the final out come. Well the answer is clearly
contained within the excerpt taken from this short piece from the Sydney
Morning Herald.

Sydney Morning Herald
Jonathan Pearlman

March 1, 2007

Let MPs off leash and vote by heart

THE independent MP Richard Torbay has called for the main parties to lift
the constraints on their members and allow conscience votes on a wide range
of policies such as the environment and law and order. Mr Torbay, the MP
for the Northern Tablelands, said Labor and the Coalition relied too much on
opinion polls, and their policies were frequently determined by a handful of
operatives who dictated how MPs should vote.

Mr Torbay said that he believed many MPs would support more progressive
policies on the environment, law and order and political donations, but were
restrained by their party machine. "I think people are frustrated by the
backroom deals and factions and two or three people making every decision,"
he said.

Labor and the Coalition occasionally allow members to vote according to
their conscience, usually for laws that involve ethical or moral issues.
However, unlike members of the Coalition, Labor MPs are expelled for
crossing the floor and voting against the party.

Mr Iemma said yesterday that he supported conscience votes for matters of
conscience but policy-based issues should be decided by the party. In recent
years there have been conscience votes on cloning research and on a bill to
lower the age of consent to 16.

"Where it is a matter of policy, government MPs are required to vote in
accordance with the government's policy," said a spokesman for the Premier,
Ben Wilson. "In the ALP, policy is set by the party conference, which is
representative of the party's grassroots members. That is one of the great
traditions of the party. Independent MPs don't have those structures."

-------------------------------------------

Grassroots members! Well well, only members of the Party and their views
are considered important in entire state decision making. This from a
government that only achieves RULE by being elected on a preferential voting
system and clearly and arrogantly dictates policy with total disregard for
anyone else's views and concerns - the majority of New South Welshmen and
Women. - Not political spin by an opponent, but a statement attributed
directly as a rising from Premier Iemma's office-minders.

And you all still have to ask why?

The Rest of You eat Mouldy Scones

It never ceases to amaze us all at how quickly the trough snouters stick
together when their own hip pocket comes to the attention of the public.
The amazing news report that Malcolm Turnbull is actually paying his wife
for accommodation whilst he is in Canberra on official business, for it his
wife that actually owns the premises, is indicative of just this.

Although Mr Turnbull may very well be exercising his rights to the enth
degree, the very fact that this multi-millionaire politician is reported to
be doing so, presumably from his parliamentary funds one way or another,
certainly appears to be morally wrong in the little persons eyes.

What's even worse is, that Kevin Rudd, whilst attempting to lead the Federal
Labor opposition to victory at the end of this year, but in reality is
attempting to field as much federal spin in a desperate attempt to have this
spin wash off some how onto the NSW Iemma inept fiasco, has come out in
support of Turnbull's actions.

From this media story, two things are now obvious;

(1) Mr Turnbull, whilst setting up the most important Federal Ministry for
the future of Australia and its water supply, indicates that he will grab a
dollar, albeit indirectly, from any opportunity that reveals itself to him
whilst in public office. Given this indication of just how desperate he is
for personal family financial gain, how can the public feel confident that
the legislation that is needed for Australia's water management will not
also be at risk?
(2) Mr Rudd by his support for Turnbull's actions, has clearly flagged his
desire to see that this style of financial gain, although legally within the
boundaries, is not an issue that should he and his team be elected in
November, is one that is removed from his own reach.

While 70,000 NSW volunteer fire-fighters alone and hundreds of thousands of
others around the nation generously give up millions upon millions of hours
of their time absolutely free and in many cases at quite some personal
expense for the betterment of the Nation and their fellow citizens, these
politicians and many more like them consider the public purse as their own
personal account.

Mr Turnbull of all people, by being a Federal Minister, an extremely wealthy
man and the legislative orchestrator of the future of this nations water
supply has a moral obligation to lead by example. The matter in question
here may well be described as trivial in nature and not outside the legal
rights of Turnbull, but from the public's perception point, it is the reason
such anathema is felt across this nation for the credibility of politicians.

Mr Rudd clearly indicates by his support for Turnbull's actions, that he
neither understands the people's concerns that he aspires to lead as Prime
Minister, nor is prepared to risk his ability to dabble financially in a
like manner. But then of course Rudd supports Iemma and anyone that
supports such fiscal ineptitude on a State scale, is certainly not someone
that attracts our vote for a National Leader.
The adage comes to mind, "lie in the little things you lie in the big
things." So here it is fair to extrapolate that to read, "risk political
damnation for minor financial reward, what acts can be expected when
billions are on offer?"

Virus Unleashed on Rural Australia

The Australian Bush Heritage Fund is a non-profit organization that buys high-conservation land with donations from the public and government. It has formed partnerships with the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, other agencies and community groups to establish wildlife corridors.

The Australian Bush Heritage Fund will announce the acquisition of the first property specifically identified as part of the corridor.

The wildlife corridor that out going Environment Minister Bob Debus is signing us all up to as his swan song from NSW state politics, has the hall marks of ex Premier Bob Carr's desires being perpetuated even though he is now a consultant to Macquarie Bank.

This incredulous plan of the loony fringe dwellers of the left wing green radicals to manufacture more national parks on your land and have you manage them under the imposts they intend to demand of you as a landholder - not landowner, for they don't exist outside metropolitan Australia - has revealed just how insidious global corporate-power is and how far their tentacles reach.

This plan of an unbroken wilderness corridor from the Victorian Alps to far north Queensland is being implemented on behalf of the Carr/Iemma/Debus government by "The Australian Bush Heritage Fund" which just happens to have upon its board of directors none other than representatives from the Macquarie Bank;


David Rickards BSc, BEng, MBA
Executive Director and Head of Research,


Macquarie Bank. David heads up the equities research group at Macquarie Bank, coordinating a team based throughout Australia, Asia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Before joining Macquarie he was responsible for establishing in Australia the risk management company BARRA International. He also worked as a consulting structural engineer with Maunsell and Partners Pty Ltd. David is an authority on the equities market with particular expertise in strategic analysis. David joined the Bush Heritage Board in 2006.


PLUS !


Keith Tuffley BEcon, LLM, GradDip App Finance & Investment

Head of Investment Banking and Managing Director, Goldman Sachs JBWere. Keith joined Goldman Sachs in 2002 as Managing Director and, following the merger with JBWere, became head of the Investment Banking Division in 2003. He is a member of the Goldman Sachs JBWere Board and Management Committee. Previously, Keith was Managing Director of UBS and also spent five years with Bankers Trust Australia. He has over 15 years' investment banking experience advising major Australian corporations across a wide range of industries. Keith joined the Bush Heritage Board in 2006.

The mark of the beast may be a conspiratorial point of discussion for many dinner tables, although the power-point delivery re Motorola, Mondex & Mastercard presented to you in our last SOS-NEWS issue advises us some are desperate to make it a more than that.

Global Corporate giant merchant and investment banks such as Macquarie Bank are a virus infecting all that we as Australian citizens own and stand for. Without a serious attempt to procure an anti-biotic defence, we will soon all succumb to peasant-hood.

Everywhere we look at SOS-NEWS whilst researching stories reveals the same players supported by the same politicians and groups. WHY? This is a decision that you as an individual must make.

It is starting to emerge patently clear that the forces of greed and power have accelerated their push at an incredible rate to maintain their agenda of intend ownership achievements.

It is also clear there is a growing discontent in this nation and especially in the eastern states with the resultant political climate both volatile and unpredictable.

This instability has not gone un-noticed by this virus but has it deeply concerned, hence the need for these corporate giants to get their legislation and plans in place prior to this volatility possibly going against them and are starting to play in the open hoping the public are too busy with the elections to look behind the curtains of deceit.

The March 24th election in NSW is the most important in this State's history and perhaps the nations. Should we retain current apathetic attitude towards our voting methodology allowing these Judas' to steal this state and nation, I wonder what lies you will all tell your children and grand children from your rocking chair, when they ask why you sanction the destruction of Australia once the lucky country.

Iemma & Debus Law Unto Ourselves

Yanga Station, an 80,000 hectare, 38 million dollar, tax payer paid for
Debus/Carr/Iemma legacy. This station, which was one of the most productive
western NSW stock and cropping properties, was bought by NSW NPWS with our
tax dollars in a time that Health, Police and Education were starved for
funds.

The Black family put this property on the market and believed that they were
selling it to a buyer that would not split this historic property up, as
opposed to private purchasers. Regardless of the fact that the Black family
were paid handsomely for the property, as that is their good business sense
in play by seeking the best price, the people of NSW under Bob Debus's
stewardship have been robbed and the Black family duped.

Yanga Station in the Balranald area of NSW, the largest single rate payer
for that shire, turned into an asset of the NSW NPWS and out the door went
another job producing, produce generating, rate paying, community supporting
business.

Now we see the depth of deceit and subterfuge that organisations that
purport to be the citizen's representation to the environment under the swan
song of Federal aspirant to the Environment portfolio as Minister, Bob Debus
with Iemma's backing, will stoop to.

As soon as this massive ex-station is gazetted - if it has not already been
done - as a National Park, they intend to split it up into different lots
and sell off thousands of acres in an attempt to find a dollar or two. Most
likely to ensure their political superannuation payments are paid up and
collectable when they are booted from office on March the 24th.

Worse, some of this land is intended for auction, but secretly other parts
are intended for private negotiated sale.

Privately negotiated! What the hell does that mean? I seem to remember
only a few days ago where the Macquarie Bank was reported as going into the
farming business as a business, with the intention of buying up large
farming blocks from Queensland to the Victorian border, not a financial
supporter as one would expect an investment bank to be, but as a primary
producer. Is there a link with such a touted sale here?

ICAC have to be brought into this matter forthwith and an injunction brought
into force to cease all and any action until an in-depth inquiry is
concluded as to;

* Where the money came from to purchase this property?
* What the negotiations were surrounding this purchase?
* What study was conducted re the impact upon the returns from a national
park as opposed to closing down such a viable vibrant business?
* Also the impact upon the surrounding community and wider area?
* What study was concluded into the ongoing cost to the tax-payer of the
extra massive million dollar expense for infrastructure upgrades to achieve
this grandiose scheme?
* Was the purchase of this property in fact an excessive waste of tax-payers
money when the rest of NSW's infrastructure is denied funding and hence, was
poor governance conducted by those entrusted to govern, or worse?
* Who, or what are the intended private purchasers that are going to
negotiate?

The above questions and much more need to be asked and answered, to the
satisfaction of the citizen's fair expectations before the injunction can be
lifted.

Peter Debnam & Andrew Stoner must come forward on this issue and clearly
identify their position yesterday.

How much longer are we the public going to allow these cretins to starve our
essential services of funds to claim the minority green vote and all on
mythological science?

If the State of NSW is a corporation with an ACN number, how come ASIC has
not charged the directors for trading whilst insolvent with no hope of
recovery in their term - and for these inept people, in any term.

This Labor government is bankrupted us the people of NSW and they are
bankrupt morally as a government, yet still Iemma allocates millions from an
empty vault and millions of monopoly money is spent on a single boat for the
police with nary a thought.

Nary a thought alright, nary a thought for sick kids, limited doctors and
nurses, suicidal farmers from no hope, fishermen's businesses destroyed,
residents collapsing into flawed tunnels, public streets diverted for
profits, and the Iemma Cabal's list just goes on to infinity, a maelstrom of
incompetence.

This Labor government has been and is, the fifth column within NSW and they
have been acting with impunity and obviously intend to do so to the last
minute of their DICTATORIAL DESPOTIC RULE.

Libs put our money in the right place

Debnam Thanks Surf Lifesaver Volunteers, Delivers Vital Equipment Upgrades

NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam today used the 100th anniversary of Surf Life Saving Australia to announce a capital upgrade for all 129 clubs in NSW to ensure they have vital rescue and safety equipment.

"In this the ‘Year of the Surf Life Saver’, we should all take the time to thank all the Surf Life Saving Clubs and Surf Life Savers for keeping our beaches safe over the last 100 years,” Mr Debnam said, who is also an honorary member of North Bondi SLSC.

"Our surf life savers are one of the great icons of NSW," he said.

"They have saved the lives of thousands of people over the years and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank them for their wonderful service over 100 years.

"Whether it's locals or visitors from interstate or overseas, surf life savers put themselves in danger to help others and that dedication deserves to be recognised.

"In recognition of that service, today I announce:

· Capital grant of $10,000 for all 129 Surf Live Saving Clubs in NSW to use to upgrade or acquire vital equipment such as rescue boards, motors, or defibrillator trainers;

· Create a Surf Life Savers Act of Parliament to give them the same protection as Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service Volunteers to ensure lifesavers don't have to pay their own public liability insurance;


"Life saving is about saving lives and our volunteer surf lifesavers are no different to our volunteer firefighters and SES workers.

"I believe that the clubs themselves are best placed to determine the priorities for the equipment they need.

“I can not think of a better 100th birthday present for Surf Life Saving Australia than my commitment to provide $1.29 million capital funding to Surf Life Saving Clubs in NSW to help purchase essential safety equipment,” Mr Debnam said.

Coastal Patrol Sinking - Out Of Funding

The Volunteer Marine Rescue Organisations of NSW save the state government tens of millions every year but receive recurrent government funding that represents an average of $764 per volunteer for training, operations and capital equipment.

By comparison, the SES receives over $2,700 per volunteer.

The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, and its colleagues in the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, are facing the most difficult financial challenge in our respective histories. We are all perilously under-funded by the state government and we are unanimous in the opinion that if the level of funding does not increase substantially we will all have to seriously consider limiting our emergency services to life-threatening incidents only.

This is not a situation that any of us would willingly consider if it was not for the fact that volunteer marine rescue services have now reached the point that while our organisations are saving the government tens of millions of dollars a year, we are all struggling to meet our commitments.

Volunteer marine rescue organisations are now responsible for an average 63% of all marine rescues in NSW, up to 88% in some Water Police Marine Area Command regions, and as much as 100% in some parts of those regions where there is no Water Police presence.

In addition, marine rescue volunteers now handle 100% of radio traffic for recreational boating since the Telstra marine radio network was closed in 2005.

NSW volunteer marine rescue organisations are funded by NSW Maritime, a self-funding, statutory State Government body classified by NSW Treasury as a non-budget dependent general government agency. In other words, the NSW marine community pays for volunteer marine rescue services.

NSW Maritime is also a very successful self-funding organisation. In 2005-06 over $13 million was distributed to the state government.

In 2005-06 Coastal Patrol, Coast Guard and VRA had 1,688 active volunteer members with funding of $1.29 million. This represents an average $764 per volunteer member of which $296 is for mandatory Competency Based Training (CBT) and the balance of $468 is for operations and capital equipment repairs and replacement.

Coastal Patrol alone, the largest of the three organisations in NSW, had to find $3 million to operate last year. It will be more this year. Our direct share of the government funding for operations and capital in 2005-06 was $353,000. This is under 12% of the total costs and represents an even lower average of $404 per member for operations and capital costs. It was very hard work raising the other $2.65 million last year. It will be even harder this year as there is actually 4.23% less funding for operations and capital in 2006-07.

By comparison, our colleagues in the SES had a well-deserved and realistic budget of $40.6 million in 2005-06. Of this $27.6 million (68%) was recurrent funding from the state government.

SES has 10,000 volunteer members and $27.6 million represents $2,760 per member.

This is a significant difference in equitable funding of volunteer emergency services.

Governments do not allocate funding without good reasons. There are very good reasons for SES to receive its level of funding. It is our responsibility in the volunteer marine rescue organisations to make a strong and factual case for a fair share of funding for the marine emergencies we manage, the boating safety education we provide, the high-maintenance equipment we use and the property and lives we save.

14 months ago in December 2005, the NSW Volunteer Marine Rescue Council prepared a detailed submission to the government for a realistic budget of $7.6 million (and since then our fuel costs have gone through the roof the same as everyone else’s).

The fact that this is more than a 600% increase on current funding simply demonstrates how desperately starved of funds our organisations have been. It also demonstrates the pragmatic, business reality of what is really needed for volunteer marine rescue organisations to maintain and replace our vessels that must be kept in Survey condition, operate best-practice communications technology, train our members, educate the boating public and work to ensure safety of life at sea.

The government knows what it costs to keep the Water Police afloat and there is no question that these costs are essential in our community. This is the nature of water-based services. But this is why the volunteers’ share of marine emergency rescues in NSW has reached an unsustainable average of 63%.

The NSW election is on 24 March 2007. During this time Coastal Patrol and the other NSW volunteer marine rescue organisations will bring these issues to the attention of those who want our support to be the next government of NSW.

The Opposition has announced a commitment of $7.6 million a year to volunteer marine rescue.

At the date of writing, the incumbent government had not announced its VMR funding policy.

We have until March 24 to fight for a fair and equitable balance.

Recreational boating in NSW is enjoyed by an estimated 15% of the coastal population. Coastal Patrol statistics demonstrate that 50% of all rescues involve vessels under 6m; a further 25% involve vessels up to 9m. These are the tinnies, half cabins, small cruisers and sailing boats of the mums, dads and kids who enjoy the boating benefits of our state.

When they run into trouble on the water who will tell them their lives have to be in danger before we can go to their help because we can’t afford to take our lifeboats out?

Contact Details:
Commodore Peter Phillipson, Officer Commanding

Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol
239 Spit Road
MOSMAN NSW 2088

Tel: 02 9961 3311 Fax: 02 9969 5214

Email: oc@coastalpatrol.com.au

INDEPENDENT for BLUE MOUNTAINS

Media Summary - all the news that matters concerning the Blue Mountains NSW State Election

Robert Stock - "Your Only Chance for Real Change"

Robert Stock -For twenty five years I have lived up here in the Blue Mountains and love it. After coming up here bushwalking as a teenager in the 1960's I moved up here to live in 1976 and taught Industrial Arts at Katoomba High.

For the last ten years I have been closely involved with community organisations which centre around the improvement of the local economy, the built environment and
he natural environment. I have been President of the Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and Community and its predecessor Katoomba Mainstreet for the past eight years.

It has been in part a satisfying but also in part a disappointing experience. What has disappointed most has been to see government both State and Local squander money in ways that have provided no lasting or even temporary benefit.

I have seen money spent as if those in government live in a different world. I have seen volunteers achieve miracles on a budget of $100.00 and seen people in high office achieve almost nothing on a salary 1000 times as much. I don't believe the community or the State can afford to have this continue.

On a primary level this is what has motivated me to stand as a candidate for the State Election to be held on the 24th of March this year. Over the following nine weeks until the election I will update this site progressively.

Visit Robert Stock's website - - - www.robertstock.com.au

INDEPENDENTS DAY is here

MEDIA RELEASE





With exposing the legislation set in place to eliminate any threat to the "Two Party System" under the electoral act, a meeting this weekend will establish the attack strategy to "Keep The Bastards Honest" and from what information we have at present, the major players will have a battle on their plates.


We will bring you just what the electoral people have not told you the voters, and why these masters of dictatorship can survive when massive votes have been distributes away from the candidates the people wish elected.


Watch This Space ..............

ONE NATION MEDIA RELEASE

DRUG POLICY AND THE WATER CRISIS ON THE AGENDA AT ONE NATION FORUM IN BOMADERRY NSW 25th FEBRUARY

The dangers of the drug "ice" will be on the agenda at the One Nation
Forum to be held at the Bomaderry Bowling Club,154 Meroo Road, Bomaderry
on Sunday February 25th, starting 10.30am.

A keynote speaker will be former Cabramatta pharmacist Phil O'Grady who
is an advisor to Federal Government ministers on drug issues.

Now retired, he once ran pharmacies in Cabramatta West, Fairfield and
Villawood where he saw the scourge of drug addiction and drug dealing
first hand, and is now an advocate of zero tolerance and a strong critic
of shooting galleries, free needles and the mis-named "harm minimisation"
policy.

Ice is said to be the most addictive and dangerous drug around, not that
that reduces the danger of other hard drugs like heroin, cocaine, ecstasy
and mariahuana, so no concerned parent in the
Shoalhaven-Nowra-Bomaderry-South Coast area can afford not to attend the
forum and hear Phil O'Grady speak.

One Nation State President Jim Cassidy, former coal-miner, will speak on
the evils of globalization, deregulation and free trade and the effect on
Australia.

Policy co-ordinator Andrew Webber, a farmer from the Central Coast, will
speak on One Nation's answer to the water crisis and some other major
policy areas all of which he has researched deeply.

Publicity Oficer Bob Vinnicombe will speak on the background to the
so-called Cronulla riots and the implications of Australia's increasing
muslim population.

There will be time for questions.

It is anticipated the forum will go for three hours and finish at 1.30
with a break for refreshments.

Statement issued February 15th, 2007 on behalf of One Nation (NSW
Division) by Bob Vinnicombe Publicity Officer

For more information contact Bob Vinnicombe 0407949963 / (02) 96454910

www.nswonenation.com.au

One Nation - Australia's Fastest Growing Political Party