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Govt targets small motorcycles with huge rise in insurance costs
Massive increases in the cost of compulsory third party (CTP) insurance for small motorcycles that come into effect today will act as a disincentive against drivers choosing smaller, less polluting vehicles, warned Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon.
Canley Vale plane crash: Bankstown airport expansion should be resisted
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon today expressed her condolences to the family of those killed in light plane crash at Canley Vale today. Ms Rhiannon is urging Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese to reject the current proposal by Bankstown Airport to expand operations, with this crash illustrating the possibility of accidents over this densely populated residential area.
Will Abbott reform donations culture?
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has challenged opposition leader Tony Abbott to declare his position on the reform of political donations, following his appearance today at the Liberal party's Millennium Forum fundraiser held in Sydney.
State poll: Greens NSW on record 17 per cent
Today's Newspoll has the Greens NSW vote at a record 17 per cent in the state poll. Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said, "The poll reflects the growing support the Greens NSW are gaining across the state.
Advice to Premier: stand up to more pokies push and throw off puppet tag
Greens MP and gambling spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW government to resist the latest push from the club industry to increase the number of poker machines and to have the tax on these machines reduced.
Bob Carr challenges new Premier to tackle coal addiction
On the eve of Walk Against Warming, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has welcomed Bob Carr's advice to new Premier Kristina Kenneally to be bold with policy and make the shift away coal-fired power.
Labor govt deal downgrades NSW workplace safety, sidelines unions
Commenting on the plan to have one Australia wide Occupational Health and Safety Act, Greens MP and industrial relations spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said worker safety in NSW would be weakened by the harmonisation push and called on the Kenneally government to work with unions to retain this state's higher workplace safety standards
PM's mining deal robs NSW of revenue for infrastructure and services
Commenting on the impact in NSW of the projected reduced revenue from the mining tax NSW Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said that Prime Minister Julia Gillard's backdown means less money for urgently needed infrastructure.
Rudd’s climate rhetoric muffled by bulldozers moving in at Anvil Hill coal mine
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has urged the Rudd government to make its rhetoric on climate change match reality, as bulldozers are set to begin construction on the Xstrata owned Mangoola coal mine at Anvil Hill in the NSW Hunter Valley.
Star City Casino pockets unclaimed winnings
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says the NSW government should reform laws governing Star City Casino so unclaimed winnings at Star City Casino are not pocketed by the owners, Tabcorp but are directed to consolidated revenue as occurs in Victoria. She also called for more stringent auditing of practices at the Casino, which is a major donor to both Labor and the Coalition
Greens welcome Cheryl Kernot to the Senate race
Greens lead Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon today welcomed Cheryl Kernot nominating for the Senate in NSW.
Major parties ignoring dental health : New poll shows Greens 'Denticare' proposal popular
The Australian Greens would use a stronger voice in federal parliament to push for increased funding for dental health, including a universal 'denticare' scheme.
Rhiannon launches Newcastle campaign, Hunter at heart of renewables shift
At Newcastle foreshore today, Greens NSW Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon launched Michael Osborne as the Greens candidate for Newcastle and announced that the Hunter will be the heart of the Greens NSW push to shift from coal dependence to 100% renewable energy.
Immigration blocks Greens/CFMEU friendly Villawood visit today
Lead Greens Senate Candidate Lee Rhiannon has criticised a decision by the Department of Immigration to block Greens, CFMEU and APHEDA representatives attending Villawood Detention Centre today for a friendly soccer match and picnic. The visit has been characterised as a ‘security risk’.
Rhiannon outlines NSW priorities for Senate race
Lee Rhiannon today resigned from the NSW Parliament to run as the Greens lead Senate candidate for the August 21 election. She has outlined her NSW campaign priorities and urged young people to enrol by 8pm tonight.
M4 East and M5 duplication flawed transport priorities
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon, who forced the release of secret documents show an unannounced NSW budget allocation of $364 million to the M4 East, says the government's commitment to the M4 East and M5 duplication is bad news for traffic congestion and will hurt the government's election chances in Sydney's Inner West
Keneally should make Parramatta heart of Sydney's transport network
Commenting on the dire state of public transport infrastructure in Parramatta raised today at Parramatta City's Transport Forum, NSW Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon called on the NSW government to end its obsession with roads and provide real transport solutions to Sydney's west.
AEC finalises count - Lee Rhiannon confirmed as Greens Senator for NSW
Final counting by the Australian Electoral Commission today has confirmed that former NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has been elected as a Senator for NSW. She will take up the position in July 2011.
Infrastructure Australia priority list out: NSW transport gets an F
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says the just released report from Infrastructure Australia recommending priority infrastructure projects for federal funding gives NSW a fail mark for progressing public transport projects which Infrastructure Australia judges should be a key priority. Ms Rhiannon says the government's omission in not even bidding for funding for the $6.7 billion north-west rail link means it is unlikely ever to be built.
NSW government fails to back marriage equality
Commenting on the NSW government’s decision to introduce a relationship register Greens MP and gay and lesbian spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has stated that Premier Kristina has failed to break with the discriminatory policies of the past and show support for marriage equality.
Northwest rail project - Coalition’s M2 compo clause bungle
Commenting on the clause in the M2 motorway contract that could result in compensation being paid to operator, Transurban, Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said the northwest rail line is an essential piece of infrastructure that should be fast tracked not held up because of a poordecision by the Coalition when they were in government.
Greens call on Bickham Coal to come clean on coal mine expansion plans
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Bickham Coal mine in the Upper Hunter Valley to come clean about its secret underground coal mine expansion plans that were exposed in a submission by the proposed Queensland Hunter Gas Pipeline project to the NSW Department of Planning.
Greens step up campaign to stop Calga sandmine expansion
Following a visit to the Central Coast today Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the Planning Minister Tony Kelly not to approve the massive Rocla sand mine expansion at Calga.
Planning approval for $5 million Hill Top shooting complex shifts goal posts
Greens MP and firearms spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called the approval of the Hill Top Shooting Complex in the NSW Southern Highlands this week 'irresponsible', and accused Planning Minister Tony Kelly of shifting the consent goalposts by removing a series of concessions that Kristina Keneally had offered the community when she was Planning Minister to appease concerns about environmental impacts.
Rudd's health reform: Keneally right to ask questions
Greens NSW MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says NSW Premier Kristina Keneally is wise to ask for more information from the Rudd government to fully evaluate the implications of the health plan for NSW, but should broaden her questions to what initiatives are planned to reign in costs generated by the burgeoning private health care sector.
Greens vote can stop Abbott controlled Senate
Greens NSW Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon said today that a vote for the Greens is crucial to avoid Tony Abbott controlling the Senate.
Toe-curlingly close: Greens Senate vote remains vital
In her final media conference before the election, Greens NSW Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon has urged people to vote 1 Greens in the Senate to avoid an Abbott controlled Upper House. Ms Rhiannon said a strong Greens presence in the Senate is the best security for achieving climate change action.
Real money for TAFE colleges and Universities
Greens NSW Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon today launched her party’s platform for the NSW higher education sector, with a raft of measures to secure the future of publicly owned TAFE colleges and universities (see below for background).
Young people get better net protection with Greens' plan
The Australian Greens today proposed a more effective use for the $40.8 million the Federal Government has budgeted for cyber safety. The plan includes PC-based filtering, further research into cyber safety risks, strengthened law enforcement, and online education.
Nash accepts Rhiannon's invitation to rural NSW debate
Greens NSW Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon is set to debate Nationals Senator Fiona Nash in regional NSW. Senator Fiona Nash today accepted Ms Rhiannon’s challenge.
Detail needed of Keneally's political donations plan
Greens Senate candidate and founder of the www.Democracy4Sale.org research project Lee Rhiannon today welcomed moves by Premier Kristina Keneally to clean up political donations in NSW and called on the Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell to back the proposals (‘Keneally’s Bid for Donations Reform’, Daily Telegraph today)
NSW Greens Federal campaign launch; Climate change policy announced
Speaking at today’s launch of the Greens NSW election campaign in Sydney, Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon outlined her strategy to cut NSW’s greenhouse gas emissions, pledging to take her strong plan for action to Canberra if elected. Ms Rhiannon named electoral funding reform as another signature campaign she would take to the Senate.
Greens join calls for moratorium on Pacific trade deal
Greens NSW Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon today supported the call by Pacific NGOs, churches and trade unions for a moratorium on negotiations for PACER-Plus, the proposed free trade agreement between Australia, NZ and Pacific Island countries.
Albanese saves residents from Labor: drops Southern Sydney Connection
The Greens today congratulated local residents for their campaign which has seen Federal Minister Anthony Albanese refuse to fund an elevated four lane arterial road through remediated parkland at Tempe and dump traffic into residential areas of St Peters and Erskineville. They are calling on Mr Albanese to take the bigger step of ruling out funding the $4.5 billion M5 duplication altogether.
Lee visits Nambucca Valley
Lead NSW Greens Senate Candidate, Lee Rhiannon, will join Lower House Candidate, Dominic King, on the campaign trail on Wednesday August 11th.
Greens NSW - vision for population, immigration and multiculturalism
At a media conference with the Greens candidate for Watson, Burwood Councillor Christine Donayre, Greens NSW Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon today rejected Labor and the Coalition’s election platforms on immigration and population, and called for additional investment in the public health, transport and education systems.
Orphan deer exposes irresponsible shooting programs
Commenting on the Illawarra orphan fawn linked to activities of local recreational shooters, Greens MP and animal welfare spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW government to scrap the Game Council and ensure all culling programs are undertaken by professionals.
Off-shore processing and detention of children must stop
Lee Rhiannon, widely tipped to win a NSW Senate seat for the Greens NSW, congratulated those bringing a High Court case, which begins today, testing the lawfulness of current off-shore processing arrangements on Christmas Island. She also called on the Federal government to abide by its international obligations with regards to refugees and asylum seekers.
Inquiry must be held into Moorebank Intermodal, say Greens
Sydney risks a repeat of the long-term problems that surround the operation of Sydney Airport if government does not develop multiple sites to share the burden of containerised freight transport rather than focusing all Sydney’s freight on Moorebank, say the Greens.
Tweed aged care forum successful first step for Greens aged care community consultation
Commenting on last Friday’s Aged Care for the Future forum at Twin Towns Services Club hosted by Greens Senator and Health Spokesperson Rachel Siewert, NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said that aged care was a key issue for Tweed residents in the upcoming federal election.
Upper House to consider motion backing equal pay case
NSW Greens MP and spokesperson for women Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW government to support an equal pay case before Fair Work Australia, which would help drive an end to the pay gap between men and women.
Major parties vote against Hunter & Lithgow coal health study
Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said the major parties' vote yesterday against her motion in NSW Parliament calling for a comprehensive population health study to investigate the links between the Hunter and Lithgow region's coal and power industries and poor health outcomes exhibited a lack of real commitment to the issue (extract from motion below).
O'Farrell's motorway plans misguided, rob public transport
Commenting on the NSW Opposition $5 billion infrastructure fund proposal, Greens MP and transport spokesperson said Mr O'Farrell's motorways plan was flawed, as it would add to city road congestion and divert funds better spent on public transport.
Mental health sacking: Tebbutt should call on Ramsay to reverse decision
Responding to today's report that Ramsay Health Care sacked a worker who had previously been treated for depression in one of their clinics, Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the company to drop their discriminatory practices and reinstate the sacked worker.
Gillard threatens safety, staffing and standards in public schools
Federal Labor’s plan to weaken the ability of state governments to regulate public schools will make it much harder to put a qualified teacher in front of every classroom and maintain high quality in all schools, according to Greens NSW Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon.
NSW Greens team ready for Federal election
With the close of nominations yesterday, Greens lead Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon today announced that her party will run its biggest campaign to date, with local candidates in all 48 lower house seats.
Lucas Heights must keep waste on site, not transport to NT
Greens Federal Senator Scott Ludlam and lead NSW Senate Candidate Lee Rhiannon today called on the Gillard government to abandon plans for the Muckaty national radioactive waste dump in the Northern Territory and commit to storing nuclear waste generated at the Lucas Heights facility on site. They say transporting waste through NSW communities to the Northern Territory creates unacceptable safety risks.
Albanese must act on Aviation Ombudsman's recommendations
The NSW Greens today welcomed the appointment of Australia’s first Aviation Ombudsman Mr Ron Brent but said Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese will risk a backlash from residents living under the Sydney Airport flight path if the government does not take action to address identified concerns.
Christine Donayre launched as Greens candidate for Watson
Greens Federal Senate Candidate Lee Rhiannon and Greens ban campaigner Jack Mundey today launched the Federal candidate for Watson, Burwood Councillor Christine Donayre at Lakemba station.
Trucking lobby revs up over Greens' rail freight plan
Greens lead Federal Senate Candidate for NSW Lee Rhiannon is standing by her party’s call for more freight to be transported by rail not road, despite a rejection of the plan by the Australian Trucking Association today.
Greens on a roll! Big push to enrol young voters in the Hunter
Commenting on today's revelations that young voter enrolments are down in the Hunter, Greens MP and lead Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon said that the Greens launched a last minute blitz to encourage young people to enrol to vote in the upcoming Federal election.
Local residents forced into court to save homes from jet fighter noise
Greens MP and Federal Senate Candidate Lee Rhiannon and Greens candidate for Paterson, Jan Davis today stated their support for local residents embarking on a court case to challenge moves to expand the noise exposure boundaries for defence aircraft operating out of RAAF Williamtown.
Small businesses denied CBD Metro compensation
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon is calling on the NSW government to make public details of what compensation claims by small businesses disadvantaged by the CBD Metro project have been settled and how many have been refused, following reports of some being rejected by the government.
Keneally's bible readings have no place in Same Sex adoption debate
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says it is disappointing that NSW Premier Kristina Keneally referred to the bible when discussing same sex adoption reforms, rather than underlining obligations under human rights and equal opportunity laws.
Cobbora mine steals region’s water
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon, who will speak at a public meeting in Mudgee this evening to discuss the proposed $1.3 billion Cobbora coal mine in Western NSW, said its four gigalitre water needs risked destroying the region’s water supplies.
Cobbora mine steals region’s water
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon, who will speak at a public meeting in Mudgee this evening to discuss the proposed $1.3 billion Cobbora coal mine in Western NSW, said its four gigalitre water needs risked destroying the region’s water supplies. Ms Rhiannon is also concerned about the NSW government assessing its own mining proposal.
Keneally should act on building site safety
Commenting on the two serious building site accidents this week, Greens MP and industrial spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Premier Kristina Keneally to work with unions to strengthen workplace safety standards and to ensure the national occupational health and safety harmonisation plan improves safety and does not leave workers worse off.
Coal dust network 'rush' risks compromising quality of monitoring
Greens MP and Hunter spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says Planning Minister Tony Kelly should make sure that the push to quickly install coal dust monitors, by suspending planning controls, does not overshadow managing key issues such as securing their optimum locations, ensuring they monitor dangerous fine particles and toxic dust and providing adequate resources to assess results and prosecute offending mining companies.
Political spectrum unites to keep Moore and Centennial Parks in public hands
Commenting on the proposed transfer of the ownership of Moore and Centennial Parks to the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon threw her full support behind the campaign to keep both parks in public hands.
Shooters Party again votes with Labor: Keneally should reveal if new deal done
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said speculation was building in the NSW Upper House that NSW Labor and the Shooters Party MPs may have resolved their differences as they voted together three times on issues critical to government interests.
Greens head to South East NSW for forests action
All four NSW Greens MPs and members from across NSW attend State Greens Conference in Bermagui tomorrow, followed by a Mumbulla Forest action on Sunday morning.
Premier fails bike test with underfunded plan
Commenting on the NSW government’s bike plan, released yesterday one year late, Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said Premier Kristina Keneally’s work in this area has been a disappointment as the plan is limited, underfunded and is a reannouncement.
Delayed Hunter Health report: Greens use parliament to call for release
Greens MP and Hunter spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has put a motion to NSW Parliament yesterday calling for the release of the now delayed NSW Health report examining existing health data about Hunter residents. The report, now over three weeks late, was promised by the Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt following community calls for a population wide health study into the possible links between the region's coal and power industries (motion below).
Government's Land Access Bill delivers hefty concessions for mining industry
Commenting on the passing of the Government's Land Access Bill late last night in the NSW Parliament, Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon accused the Labor government of doing the mining industry's bidding by overturning a recent Supreme Court decision that favoured Caroona farmers over BHP Billiton.
Dental health care crisis: call for Keneally to back universal Denticare
Responding to today’s report that more than half a million people wait more than two years for urgent dental care, Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Premier Kristina Keneally to lobby the federal government to expand the $7.3 billion health reform package by including overhauls to dental health services.
Kill off CBD metro today and quarantine funding for rail
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon believes Premier Keneally should immediately hit the government's ill conceived Metro plans on the head and promise that the billions currently earmarked for the project are redirected to heavy and light rail.
M5 tunnel filtration plans dropped: Campbell dumps on motorists and locals
Greens MP and roads spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says today's report that the RTA has dumped plans to filter the east-bound section of the M5 East tunnel shows the government's continued negligence in failing to properly deal with the health risks posed by the tunnel.
NSW Metro Transport plan can't save dysfunctional Kenneally government
Premier Kristina Kenneally's transport announcement will do little to restore confidence in the NSW government as Labor has had a decade of failed public transport plans Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and Leichhardt Mayor Jamie Parker said today.
Survey shows time for abortion law reform in NSW
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today called on Premier Kristina Keneally to take the first step towards abortion law reform in NSW by reviewing outdated laws that keep abortion a crime, following a national survey published in the Medical Journal of Australia which shows a vast majority of respondents believe abortion should be lawful in the first trimester.
Kenneally implicated: US coal giant's mine plans threaten water supplies
Commenting on the decision of Peabody Energy to proceed with a $70 million expansion plan for its Metropolitan coalmine in the Illawarra, Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said the project will put southern Sydney and Wollongong's water supply at risk.
AC/DC May concert in Austria threatens rare birds - appeal to change venue
With AC/DC in Sydney, NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is asking that the band work to relocate the site of another big gig in Wels in Upper Austria in May, which nature conservationists, including the World Wildlife Fund, fear will destroy rare birds at nesting time and fragile pristine steppe plants.
Campbell should move on Central West branch lines report
Greens MP and public transport spokesperson has called on Transport Minister David Campbell to direct funding to ensure five branch lines in the Central West remain operational, as recommended by a report presented by five Western NSW councils to the Minister today.
Keneally should work to stop Milperra Boeing closure
Greens MP and industrial relations spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says Premier Kristina Keneally must stop the bleeding of jobs from South West Sydney that will flow from the decision by Boeing to close its Milperra aerospace engineering site and relocate to Melbourne.
Mining companies on notice from farmers' Supreme Court win against BHP Billiton
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has congratulated the Liverpool Plains farming community for their win in the Supreme Court and said the victory has statewide significance.
Sydney fails again on air quality: public transport key
Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says the government will continue to miss targets set to reduce dangerous ozone levels in Sydney unless the State and Federal governments invest in quality public transport services to get Sydneysiders out of their cars (page 2, SMH today).
NSW government wooing Shooters Party MPs with weaker firearms regulations
Greens MP and firearms spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said the new NSW regulations that water down gun control measures appeared to be an attempt to mend bridges with the Shooters Party following last year's falling out over their controversial Game and Feral Animal Control Bill that sought hunting in national parks.
Justice delayed for involuntarily detained mental health patients
Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has criticised new mental health laws which may result in delays of up to several weeks before an involuntarily detained patient is brought before the Mental Health Review Tribunal for review. The changes will also entrench the use of video conferencing rather than face-to-face review hearings.
Greens win NSW Upper House support to keep Carramar Nursing Home in public hands
Greens win NSW Upper House support to keep Carramar Nursing Home in public hands Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon won support today in the NSW Upper House for a Greens motion that calls on the NSW Government to scrap its plans to sell off beds in the Carramar Nursing Home in Leeton.
New FOI laws for NSW delayed
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today criticised the failure of the NSW government for its delay in: commencing new freedom of information laws passed in June 2009, appointing a permanent Information Commissioner and educating the public about the new laws.
Nurses take the lead on safe patient care
Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon, commenting on today's Safe Patient Care Rallies organised by the NSW Nurses' Association, praised the commitment of nurses to the health of the people of NSW in the face of a lack of government funding.
Call for mining and health inquiry
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW government to hold an independent inquiry into the health impacts of the coal industry on people living in the Hunter region, and for the rules that mines operate under to be enforced.
NSW govt heatwave failure puts lives at risk – catchup strategy urgently needed
As extreme temperatures hit this weekend, the Greens are calling on the NSW government to develop a comprehensive heatwave strategy for the state, following the lead of jurisdictions like Victoria, Queensland, the UK, United States and Canada
US/Australian military nukes exercise over Sydney risks public safety
Following revelations on tonight’s Ch 7 News of a secret US/Australia military training operation in April and May which used nuclear material to track weapons of mass destruction around North Head, Middle Head and near Cataract Dam South of Sydney, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on the Federal and State governments to place more detail on the public record. Defence statement included below.
2010 set for bumper donations fundraising
Following the release of the latest donations figures by the Australian Electoral Commission today, which shows that donations were down last financial year, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has predicted that 2010 will see intense competition from both the major parties to attract corporate donations for their election campaigns, underlining the need for reform.
Upper House orders release of more secret CBD Metro papers
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has welcomed the decision of the NSW government to support the Greens motion requiring more secret CBD Metro documents to be made public in line with the determination of the former Chief Justice Sir Laurence Street.
Productivity Commission: Keneally urged to regulate gambling industry for public good
Following today's release of the Productivity Commission's report into the gambling industry, NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon urged the NSW government to back the recommendations.
Call for govt to come clean on CBD Metro compensation
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW government to publicly disclose the full details of the compensation negotiations over the failed CBD Metro.
Camberwell reports show need to reject new mines
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the Minister for Planning to reject three new mining proposals for the Integra, Ashton and Ravensworth mines in the face of today's findings of the Camberwell Cumulative Impact Review which show unacceptable health impacts. The Greens have renewed their calls for an independent, cumulative study across the Upper Hunter to examine the health impacts of the rapidly expanding coal and power industries.
Greens to step up opposition to offshore gas drilling
Senate candidate and former NSW MP Lee Rhiannon says she will take her campaign to stop experimental offshore mining exploration to Federal parliament, following news that in mid-October Advent Energy will start exploratory drilling into the seabed 55 kms east of Newcastle.
Kenneally called on to restore rail petrol freight subsidy to save lives
In the aftermath of the far south coast accident involving a petrol tanker that killed three people Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Premier Kristina Kenneally to reinstate the subsidy for bulk fuel transported by rail.
National firearm theft rise highlights need for tighter gun control laws
The dramatic rise in gun theft has serious public safety implications that requires immediate action to be taken by both the NSW and federal governments Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today.
Political donation crisis amplifies as Labor abandons national reform agenda
The crisis in Australia's electoral funding and disclosure system is set to worsen now that the Rudd government has abandoned passing reform legislation before the next election predicted NSW Greens MP and donations spokesperson Lee Rhiannon today.
Labor and Shooters move to relax NSW gun laws as news of Cumbrian massacre breaks
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has condemned the government for allowing the Shooters Party MP Roy Smith to today introduce a broad ranging private members bill designed to relax gun laws on the day of the West Cumbrian massacre which left 12 dead and 11 injured.
NSW govt warned on speeding truck fatalities – fails to act
Commenting on today’s report that heavy vehicles are over-represented in fatal crashes, Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said the NSW government’s failure to act on key Auditor General recommendations on improving road safety was putting lives at risk.
Tebbutt ignores health risks of Upper Hunter coal mining
Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says the Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt must immediately respond to calls to initiate an independent health study into the health risks of coal mining to residents living in the Upper Hunter.
Frank Sartor should be koalas' saviour: protesters removed from Mumbulla forest
Greens MP and spokesperson for South East NSW has called on Environment Minister Frank Sartor to urgently find a solution to the problems emerging between police and community members calling for the protection of koala habitat and for logging in the Mumbulla State Forest to stop.
MP allowances rorts: Premier should tighten controls
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on the Premier to tighten scrutiny of MPs allowances, following today's report by the NSW Auditor-General which found three MPs have pocketed unspent Sydney Allowances, MPs have been wrongly using the office expense allowance to promote themselves and are using frequent flyer benefits for personal use.
Mumbulla forest wins logging halt, but koala habitat still at risk
Commenting on today's decision by Forests NSW to halt logging areas within two compartments in the Mumbulla State Forest following revelations that they were gazetted as an Aboriginal Place in the 1980s, Greens MP and spokesperson for South East NSW Lee Rhiannon has congratulated the traditional owners for defending the forest, and has called on Environment Minister Frank Sartor to stop logging areas in two adjacent compartments where koala habitat is still at risk.
New FOI laws commence: Keneally should champion
In welcoming news that NSW's new freedom of information laws will commence on July 1, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said their success depends on Premier Kristina Keneally backing the new regime with resources to educate the public about the changes and directing state agencies to release more information to the public so as to reduce the need for FOI applications.
Ex-premiers get millions from public purse
Commenting on the revelation that former NSW premiers have received millions of dollars of public money to cover their expenses Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on the Keneally government to set much stricter limits on the annual allowance available to former holders of high office.
