Save Graythwaite

Save Graythwaite Bill defeated: Jillian Skinner, the member for (North) Shore

susie — 2010-07-09T04:25:36Z

Mr Peter Besseling, Independent MP for Port Macquarie, had carriage of the bill in the NSW Legislative Assembly. The bill was defeated by 46 to 35 votes. The Greens were successful in gaining support for the bill in the NSW Upper House in November last year.

"In her speech to the bill Ms Skinner said that it's now time to 'move on', but she can be assured that the community will not forget her behaviour during this time," Ms Rhiannon said.

"It comes as no surprise to me to hear that Jillian Skinner was booed by residents from the public gallery in NSW Parliament as she delivered her speech.

"Ms Skinner long ago dropped the Save Graythwaite cause, abandoning the local community's fight and siding with the Shore community. She did everything possible in her speech to smooth over any ill-feelings about the school's involvement in the sale.

"Perhaps Ms Skinner needs to be reminded that she is the member for North Shore, not just Shore.

"During the debate Ms Skinner was disrespectful of the Dibbs family. She was also dismissive of all the hard work done by Friends of Graythwaite's to achieve a positive outcome for the community.

"After news of the sale of this estate by the NSW government to a wealthy private school Ms Skinner quickly waived the white flag and lost interest in the campaign.

"It was logical for the Shadow Health Minister and member for North Shore to bring this bill into the lower house. By refusing to do so, the Friends of Graythwaite were forced to find an independent MP to do the job.

"This Estate, with its six acres of parkland representing one of the last remaining large green public havens for the people of North Sydney, is now on the verge of being lost to the public forever," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568.

Read the debate on the Save Graythwaite Bill.

Skinner dumps Graythwaite: refuses to move Greens Bill in LA

alisono — 2010-02-26T06:31:58Z

"The Friends of Graythwaite have built an extremely loyal and large following of residents keen to keep this historic estate in public hands," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Local residents have a right to be disappointed at the inaction of Ms Skinner and the Liberal Party. It suggests her commitment to this cause is only skin deep.

"Liberal MP Jillian Skinner says she supports saving the historic Graythwaite estate, but her actions tell a different story.

"If Jillian Skinner was serious about continuing the fight the logical thing to do would be to introduce this bill, which has already passed through the NSW Legislative Council, into the Legislative Assembly.

"The Friends of Graythwaite, with the Greens, are now working hard to find another lower house MP to take the logical step and introduce this bill for debate," Ms Rhiannon said.

Contact: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
See here for the bill and more information about the campaign.

Govt rebuffed on Graythwaite Estate: Greens win Upper House vote to save historic site

alisono — 2009-11-24T23:55:34Z

The Greens bill, passed by 23 votes to 18, is now due to be debated in the Lower House.

"This legislation if passed by the Lower House will reverse the proposed sale of Graythwaite Estate to Shore School and provide the legal protection necessary to keep the historic building and grounds in public hands for future generations," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Tonight's vote was a significant rebuff to the government's sell-off agenda.

"The Save the Graythwaite Estate Bill is based on the Greens' successful 2002 legislation to Save Callan Park. Once again we will make every effort to maintain this glorious estate in public hands where it belongs.

"The Greens moved this bill as the government has a tarnished record on Graythwaite and we need to lock in the legal protection that the community has fought so hard to achieve.

"This bill has strong community backing from the Friends of Graythwaite, North Sydney Council and the CFMEU, which has placed a green ban on the site.

"I introduced the bill to safeguard the future of Graythwaite Estate.

"We fast tracked the legislation through the NSW parliament in orderto stop the NSW government's proposed sell off to the private school Shore for $35.2 million," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

Greens win right to debate Save Graythwaite Bill

alisono — 2009-11-18T22:49:43Z

"This brings the local community, desperate to keep this precious property in public hands, one step closer to achieving its aim," Ms Rhiannon said.

The Save the Graythwaite Estate Bill was second read and must now sit in the NSW Upper House for five calendar days. Ms Rhiannon will bring the bill on for debate in two weeks time.

"The government is a serial offender when it comes to flogging off precious public assets to the private sector, keen to make some quick cash.

"The Graythwaite Estate is one more potential casualty of the Rees government's sell-off agenda.

"The bill, if passed, will reverse the proposed sale and provide the legal protection necessary to keep the historic building and grounds in public hands for future generations," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

Greens ask O'Farrell to introduce Save Graythwaite Estate Bill

alisono — 2009-11-03T23:51:40Z

Ms Rhiannon postponed the bill's introduction this week in parliament
because she was not confident the Opposition would support the bill.

"Barry O'Farrell should show leadership and stick with the Liberal
Party's original commitment to save Graythwaite, now it appears that
the local North Shore MP Jillian Skinner is backtracking on her
support for the bill," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Ms Skinner says she has concerns with the bill because it applies
retrospectively to nullify any existing legal agreement between the
government and Shore, but she is using this as cover for her deserting
the fight to save the site.

"It is pure poppycock for Jillian Skinner to use the retrospectivity
issue as an excuse for not supporting the bill. Greens research shows
that this year alone the NSW Opposition has voted for at least ten
bills in the NSW Upper House that have retrospective application.

"Jillian Skinner had closed the door on the Save Graythwaite campaign
even before she saw the Greens bill, introducing a motion in
parliament calling on Shore to keep the grounds open to the community
out of hours.

"I am surprised that the Shadow Minister for Health is passing up the
opportunity to increase from the proposed 60 to 112 rehabilitation
beds this bill would enable by allowing the federal government to
manage the site.

"Local Federal Member Joe Hockey has been a strong backer of this
community campaign. His colleague Barry O'Farrell has a chance to act
to protect this iconic heritage building and grounds, now subject to a
green ban.

"Mr O'Farrell has told me the bill will be considered at the next
Shadow Cabinet meeting. I hope he pushes for his party to support our
bill, or take up my offer and introduce the bill in the Opposition's
name.

"It would be disappointing if the NSW Liberals failed to do everything
they could to keep this wonderful estate, which occupies an important
place in the modern history of Australia and in Sydney’s urban
landscape, in the public arena," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
See here for the bill and Lee's campaign page