Blog
Lee's views and comments on topical events and issues.
Devastation in Bermagui State Forest, SE NSW
Lee's visit to the South East Forests for the local Walk Against Warming.
Roozendaal an unusual bedfellow on proposed bikie laws
It is worrying times when you have to rely on Eric Roozendaal to be the voice of moderation in NSW Cabinet.
Why wont the Government protect Mammy Johnson River from coalmine pollution?
This week in parliament I will move a motion calling on the Planning Minister Kristina Keneally to reject Duralie Coal's bid to discharge polluted mine water into the Mammy Johnson River near Stroud in the Gloucester basin, and to place an embargo on any future applications by mining companies to pollute the river.
People's Blockade of the World's Largest Coal Port
A 500 strong people's blockade of Port Newcastle has notched up a major win with no coal ships docking at the coal loader during the seven-hour protest. On most days eight coal ships depart from Newcastle loaded with coal.
Radical activism centre stage at Climate Summit
Clive Hamilton set the scene for the four day Climate Summit with an uplifting speech that put “radical activism” centre stage.
Farmers and Greens – developing alliance to keep coal mining out of the Liverpool Plain
Driving with George and Tommy Clift across the Liverpool Plain gave me an insight into why farming communities on the rich alluvial floodplain of Caroona and Watermark are fighting so hard to stop BHP Billiton, Shenhua Energy, Santos and any other mining company that ventures over the horizon exploring for coal and gas in this region.
The people of Wedderburn v BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton recorded a $17 billion profit last financial year. Last Tuesday night in a cold hall at Wedderburn, 10 kilometres south of Campbelltown on the outskirts of Sydney, I had an upclose glimpse of how this company pulls in such obscene amounts of money.
Crossborder Greens campaign to close woodchip mill
On Monday of this week I spent two hours at the Eden Chipmill, along with Greens MPs Sue Pennicuik, from Victoria, and Deb Foskey, from the ACT. We met with the mill managers and toured the site.
Arresting climate change
The Camp for Climate Action, due to kick off in Newcastle this week, signals that for many of us who have been speaking out on the dangers of runaway climate change over the past decade, the time for more radical action has arrived.
Port Arthur massacre remembered – time to ban semi-automatic pistols
Lee renews the Greens call for a ban on semi-automatic pistols to mark the 10 year anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre.
Pregnant elephant saga reveals more Taronga Zoo management flaws
The pregnant elephant story that broke last week certainly provided fodder for a few talk back hosts and editorials. Much of it was amusing but these comments should not detract from an examination of this latest serious breach of animal welfare protocols at Taronga Zoo.
Peabody's attempt to SLAPP down opponents of local coalmine fails
Peabody Energy, the world's largest private sector coal company and the owner and operator of the Wilpinjong coalmine 40 kilometres outside Mudgee, clearly does not like people complaining about their coal operations. They have gone to extraordinary lengths to silence their critics
Cycling into the Upper House - but is the Daily Tele on board?
The rights of cyclists and the relevance of the NSW Upper House became entwined in a Daily Telegraph blog last week.
Grrrrrreen car wash heads to federal court
Remember those Grrrrrreen adverts that appeared on billboards, internet sites and in newspapers for Saab cars last year? Apart from the gross misuse of the word green the advertisements also contained misleading and deceptive claims about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Legal arguments win the day in Newhouse nomination saga
In the last NSW parliamentary sitting week prior to the federal election NSW Upper House Liberals moved to have documents relating to questions about the validity of the nomination of Labor candidate for the federal seat of Wentworth, George Newhouse, made public.
Some sane media talk on drugs - can Labor and Liberal cope?
In last week s blog I commented on the current drugs debate following Andrew John s revelations. Looking at some of the follow up media maybe the honest debate Lisa Pryor called for is happening.
Can drug users deliver an honest debate?
When Premier Morris Iemma was asked about Andrew Johns drug taking he went for the old law and order approach, reminding everyone that if Johns had been caught in NSW he may have faced criminal charges. Although technically that could happen, the fact is that by far the majority of people picked up in NSW with one ecstasy tab are given a warning by the police, or they may end up in a rehabilitation program.
Invite to Kevin and Julia to check out perpetrators of workplace thuggery
Below is a disturbing letter from Michele O'Neil, Assistant National Secretary Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA).
Massacres - legal gun owners main perpetrators
This week there was widespread outrage when the news broke that a gun shop would open up in a residential retail area in Ku-ring-gai, a northern Sydney suburb. Many parents spoke of their concern as the shop will be located near a child care centre.
Rudd slips on Murdoch's top editor
The consequences of opposition leader Kevin Rudd's drunken night out at a New York strip club are yet to play out. Whatever happened, he has shown an appalling lack of judgement and a dubious attitude to women.
Circuit breaker needed in coalmine plans
On Wednesday this week I swapped the NSW Parliament for Yarraman Estate winery at Wybong in the Upper Hunter. This was my contribution to Pollies for Small Business, an annual initiative organised by the NSW Chamber of Commerce, designed to allow politicians to learn about the challenges in the business world.
Look out for more horror policies from the unholy alliance – Labor, Shooters and the Coalition
Look out for more horror policies from the unholy alliance – Labor, Shooters and the Coalition One of the MPs elected in the recent state election, Shooters Party member Roy Smith, is pushing for a reintroduction of duck shooting and shooting feral animals in National Parks.
When threats replace debate on the question of stem cells
Cardinal George Pell was not the only leading Australian Catholic who threatened "consequences" for Catholic MPs who voted for stem cell legislation. Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey went further than Cardinal Pell. He not only asserted that Catholic politicians supporting stem cell research should be excluded from holy communion - he added the threat of excommunication.
Happy snappers capture 'Save Anvil Hill'
Yesterday on a mild winter's day I sat in a paddock in the Upper Hunter for forty-five minutes with about 500 people while a helicopter buzzed overhead. We sat together in lines and shapes forming giant letters that spelt out 'Save Anvil Hill' while the airborne photographers snapped and videoed our message.
Chainsaws at dawn – Labor trashes its own good work
Election campaigning is over and logging native forests has commenced. These two acts are most definitely related. The Labor government knows that its logging practices in southeast NSW are unpopular and therefore the vandalism side of State Forests’ operations was swept under the carpet for a few months.
Is the F6 motorway a secret NRMA plan to boost car sales?
At end of February, in the midst of the state election campaign, I put out a media release criticising the NRMA's push to have the F6 motorway built through the Sutherland Shire.
East Timor pecuniary battle lifts lid on Horta-Howard connection
As the East Timor Presidential election barely rates a mention in the Australian media I guess most readers of this blog are not aware that the personal wealth of the two Presidential candidates, Francisco Guterres Lu Olo and Jose Ramos Horta, is a hot election issue in that country.
Road to nowhere: Labor’s Ritalin inquiry
Yesterday the NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher rushed to announce an inquiry into ADHD and Ritalin. Surely such an inquiry is needed. How could anyone complain?
Premier Iemma puts limits on e-democracy
Premier Morris Iemma revealed another ugly side of the NSW government this week when his office threatened to charge one of the state’s peak environment groups for organising an email protest. He seems to have forgotten what it means to be an elected representative. People have a right to contact you.
Celebration for one-year anniversary of Liverpool Plains farmers’ blockade of BHP Billiton
Last week I was fortunate to be on the road for three days in the Liverpool Plains region. This area is now the front line in the showdown between mining and agriculture. Local farmers have taken on the likes of BHP Billiton, China Shenhua and Santos, using blockade tactics and a successful media blitz to publicise their campaign.
“Good guy” O’Farrell still part of the mould
Barry O’Farrell would be feeling quite pleased with himself. He increased his vote in his state seat of Ku-ring-gai and he was unopposed when he decided to put his hand up for Liberal leadership.
A mind stimulation from Minding Animals
The Minding Animals Conference was one of those events that underlined the enormous shift in community attitudes. The conference went far beyond animal welfare issues. Conference Co-convenors, Rod Bennison and Jill Bough, pulled off something quite special.
The battle rages over water in Orange
Last Wednesday I checked out the Cadia Gold Mine just outside Orange. It is massive - and there is a proposal on the table to increase the size of the mine to increase gold ore production up to 27 million tonnes per annum.
Cycleway blocked – will it be a bridge too far for Minister Daley?
With facilities for cyclists under threat from the RTA again, this time near the Cumberland Highway, Roads Minister Michael Daley needs to take a more hands on approach to protect bicycle infrastructure.
Lee's blogs
Lee Rhiannon writes regular blogs and opinion pieces on a diverse range of issues she comes across during visits in NSW campaigning for the Greens.
Solution to Rees' environment blunder
It seems that NSW's conservation puzzle has too many pieces for Premier Rees to handle ... Lee has a clue for the Premier.
Privacy - another Labor victim
Privacy Awareness Week (24-30 August) is a time to focus on the need for heightening privacy protections in the age of rapidly advancing technology. Privacy NSW is just one of a long line of independent watchdogs being killed off – think of the Inspector General of Prisons, the Anti-Discrimination Board, the Department of Women, the Community Services Commission and the Children's Guardian.
RAAF keeps mum on secret Port Stephens pollution reports
Port Stephens locals have been putting up with the noise of RAAF defence operations at the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range for decades. Yet the government has greeted their concerns with deafening silence.
Tasmanian forests – World Heritage plan to stop the clear felling
A short visit to the South Weld Forests in the Tasmanian World Heritage Area revealed both their magnificence and the extreme danger posed to them posed by wood-chipping, and even shooting.
Human rights for refugees are the key to compassion
Yes we need compassion, but if we do not recognise and meet the fundamental rights that refugees are entitled to, then fine words become hollow.
Turnbull Wentworth survey asks inappropriate voting intention question
US style electioneering has come to Malcolm Turnbull's electorate of Wentworth.
The Shooters Party: tough on guns?
In the Sydney Morning Herald today Shooters Party MP Mr Roy Smith today said his party supports "the toughest gun laws that can be devised". This stands in sharp contrast with the legislative changes he and his colleague Mr Robert Brown have recently won in NSW parliament, with the support of the NSW Government and Opposition.
Does Bega know what Constance does?
It’s not so unusual for a politician to be accused of hypocrisy, but the member for Bega really takes the biscuit. Exactly what does Andrew Constance stand for?
Liberals struggle with accuracy on Greens preferences
Considering the Liberal party team are poised to take government in NSW in 2011, they need to meet standards and accuracy should be at the top of the list.
Dangerous website censorship plan fails protection test
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is campaigning against Labor's internet censorship plans.
Gun laws weakened in NSW
I unfortunately had two disallowance motions overturned in the NSW Upper House this week. They related to two regulations that the NSW Labor government had passed in December last year, which weakened gun ownership laws in NSW.
A long walk to the Cremore coalface
For most of us, the idea of large-scale mining operations at Cremorne or Balmain is practically beyond imagination.120 years ago, however, the push was on to do just that.
Labor's climate change failure
As the government this week jettisoned the CPRS into the too-hard basket, I think it's worthwhile taking a look at exactly what Kevin Rudd and Labor have achieved on climate change since 2007.
Relationships Register Bill a good step forward
Last night the NSW State Parliament passed the Relationships Register Bill 2010, bringing NSW into line with similar legislation in Tasmania, Victoria and the ACT, and catching up with the public’s acceptance that people's love and intimacy can be expressed in a variety of ways.
Mumbulla State Forest Action
On Sunday, a mass forest protest of nearly 300 locals and Greens from across the state enjoyed choirs, speeches and the world premier of a forest theatre production in Mumbulla State Forest. This forest, home to a koala population and also significant indigenous sites, is under severe threat of logging. Following are photos from Sundays protest.
Keep Moore Park in public hands - Sign the petition
You would think Premier Kristina Keneally had enough scandals and bad news stories to keep her going to the next election. But wonders never cease with the current NSW government. They have a plan to break up Centennial Park and Moore Park and hand the management to the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust.
Greens rally against ABCC
15 June 2010 - Greens members joined with unionists in a 2000 strong rally today backing Ark Tribe, the South Australian construction worker who has fallen foul of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
Independents rise - Nationals bush whacked
One of the spin-offs of the rise of the independents over the past ten days has been the Nationals’ attention seeking behaviour to demonstrate that they are the true bush MPs who are working hard for regional Australia.
Ambassadors for Aung San Suu Kyi mark 15 years house arrest
Imagine being under house arrest for 15 years. That is what Aung San Suu Kyi has been subjected to. And today, Suu Kyi's birthday, there has been renewed effort by the Burmese community and their supporters to win Suu Kyi's freedom.
Thankyous And Goodbyes - My Last Speech In The NSW Upper House
I started saying goodbye to friends and colleagues in the NSW parliament this week.
The Afghan War - Sleeper Election Issue
The Afghan war is a sleeper election issue. Australians are troubled by this war. In recent weeks I have found many more people wanting to talk about why the troops should be brought home. Today's tragic news that another young Australian soldier has been killed in that war will get more people thinking.
Campaign Trail Hots Up - Candidate Launches And Election Announcements
This weekend just past was our busiest to date for campaign events with candidate launches, policy announcements and a flurry of information stalls, door knocking, postering and leaflet distribution undertaken by our electorate teams.
Remembering Black July
Through my work with the Tamil community over recent months I am learning of the injustice and brutality they have been subjected to over the past century. These events are a scar on all humanity and it is disturbing how few people in Australia know of these events.
The Greens: Watermelons, Avocados... Apples?
Last week the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian wrote some not so positive pieces on the Greens, which included inaccuracies about the party and my personal and political history. It was great to receive some positive letters from individuals and community groups I have worked with over the last couple of decades, that were sent to daily newspapers (and many published) as a result.
Abbot Behind The Sheds Dragging On A $5 Million Cigarette
After helping out the mining industry it looks like opposition leader Tony Abbott is ready to deliver for another backer of the Coalition, the tobacco industry. Today’s Daily Telegraph reports that Liberal Party strategists are gearing up for a $5 million attack on the plan for plain cigarette packaging. The Greens and Labor support this plan.
Notes For Speech At AGQUIP Debate With Fiona Nash
Thanks to Ag Quip for hosting this debate. We appreciate opportunity to put on the record Greens policies and campaigns that have advanced the interests of regional NSW, and the protection of farming land and associated water resources.
Responding To Attacks On My Family And Political Background
As support for the Greens increases, inevitably so do the attacks on the Greens and on individuals within the party. As one of the public faces of the Greens, I have been in the firing line.
Sunday Is For Campaigning
Sunday was another strong campaigning day. We had candidate workshops at the Greens office and our public education forum later in the day also attracted a big crowd.
Government shake up should extend to overseas aid delivery
As the dust settles on a revamped federal government thanks to the courageous crossbenchers, an obvious question is will Prime Minister Julia Gillard pick up on this new way of governing and extend the shake up to some of her ministries.
Tense Days at Villawood
After a few worrying days in and around Villawood detention centre it was a relief to watch at about 7.10 pm last night the Tamil detainees wind up their roof top protest and come down. Many of these young men I have met on visits to Villawood. The most recent was on Sunday when I joined a delegation of union officials and Greens members. We spent a couple of hours talking with asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iraq and Sri Lanka.
Media missing on protest shutdown of world's biggest coal port
When all three coal terminals in the Port of Newcastle, the world's largest exporter of coal, were shut down on Sunday by protesters and 41 people arrested you would think it would be a hot news item.
