The people promoting the fracking and the people regulating the fracking are the same people

Kathryn Diss reporting for the ABC: 

Conservation Council WA director Piers Verstegen:

"We're actually seeing taxpayer funded public relations experts working within government agencies on behalf of the industry to promote the industry," he said.

"This is really concerning when it's the same agency that is supposed to be protecting communities from the impacts of gas fracking.

It's also interesting to read about the emails obtained by the ABC showing the government actively coordinating with mining companies on how to manage public relations spin.  

Click here for full article. 

Geoff Gallop visiting Geraldton

Geoff Gallop and Darren West

Former WA Premier Geoff Gallop is in Geraldton at the moment attending the official opening this evening of Darren West's Marine Terrace office. 

Dr Gallop was born in Geraldton and attended Beachlands Primary School and Geraldton Senior High School. 

Darren West is the WA Labor Member for the Agricultural Region. 

Roger Cook, Deputy WA Labor leader is also in attendance, along  with members of the community.

Roger Cook

Tough home invasion and burglary laws a top priority for first up debate

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said today the Liberal National Government has re-affirmed its commitment to law and order by listing its tough home invasion and burglary laws as the first item for debate this Parliamentary year.  

In delivering this election commitment, the toughest penalties in Australia would be imposed for serious home invasion offenders.  Mandatory sentencing laws for serial home burglars would also be tightened. 

Mr Blayney said the laws will protect the victims - the people who have had their homes broken into and been terrorised and attacked during a home invasion.  

The legislation mandated minimum jail terms of 75 per cent of the maximum sentence for an adult offender who committed serious physical or sexual assault during a home burglary. This means:  

• an offender who breaks into a house and rapes someone will face a minimum of 15 years jail;
• an offender who breaks into a house and seriously physically assaults someone will face a minimum of seven years, six months jail;
• an offender who breaks into a house and indecently assaults someone in aggravated circumstances will face a minimum of five years, three months jail. 

The three strike rules would also be tightened to stop offenders being able to have all their offences bundled together as one strike.  

Mr Blayney said under the new laws, if an offender has committed three burglaries, on three days that is three strikes and they will go to jail.

Mr Blayney said the Liberal National Government was dedicated to making communities safer through tough laws and by providing police with the resources they needed to combat crime and anti-social behaviour.

Here's Melissa Price's statement on why she walked out of parliament during Bill Shorten's Close the Gap speech

The Twitterverse was up in arms today after a group of coalition MP's including Durack MP Melissa Price walked out of the chamber during Mr Shorten's "Closing the Gap" statement.

Everything Geraldton contacted Melissa Price's office regarding her reasoning for walking out. 

“Mr Shorten should not have politicised this issue. I thought it was disrespectful to Indigenous people and represented cheap point scoring. We all know that many previous governments have failed to improve the lives of Indigenous people. We need to work together to close the gap.” - Melissa Price. 

Labor leader Bill Shorten had called on the government to reverse $500 million in budget cuts.

Click here to read the Sydney Morning Herald's account of today's events. 

Opinion: Regarding the current financial situation at the City of Greater Geraldton, and a brief overview of the last 8 years

For those of you late to the scene, you might wonder why the Geraldton public are so distrustful of the local council. 

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Flash back to 2006

A recommendation was made to the Minister for Local Government by the Local Government Advisory Board in August 2006 to amalgamate the Shire of Greenough with the City of Geraldton.

At that time the Shire of Greenough had a pretty good reputation in the community. They were fair to deal with and were very prompt when it came to building approvals and the like. 

The City of Geraldton did NOT have a good reputation, and many community members feared the mess that was the CoG would become the burden of the residents from the Shire of Greenough. 

But the policitians and bureaucrats felt they knew what was best for the simple citizens of the Midwest, and the Shire of Greenough residents had to petition for a referendum to be held. 

The Greenough electors managed to successfully petitioned for a referendum to determine whether the amalgamation should proceed. 

This was held on 2 December 2006, and of those who voted a majority of around 80% voted against the proposal.

However, the politicians and bureaucrats had a loophole. The Local Government Act 1995 (clause 10 of Schedule 2.1) stated as the vote did not attract 50% of registered voters, it did not meet the requirements for a valid poll.

The referendum only had a participation rate of 28.74% (much like councillor elections which still get counted).

So despite having an extremely clear picture of what a majority of people felt, those in charge at the time found a way to do what they wanted rather than what the residents wanted.

Trust was lost. 

Millions of ratepayers dollars was spent on the rebranding. Fancy new number plates were seen around town. 

But things weren't smooth in the newly created city. Building approvals banked up. Builders complained. Developers complained. 

City staff complained. Some of the good ones left. 

The mood in the town was "they don't listen to us any way", and animosity toward the council grew. 

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GFC

Then after all that money was spent on rebranding and "gaining efficiencies" the global financial crisis hit and it emerged that the city of Geraldton Greenough had invested substantial amounts in sub-prime derivatives through Lehman Brothers Australia. 

Why on earth was our rate payer's money being invested in high risk complex securities? Geraldton residents were again furious, and no investigation was launched by the WA Department of Local Government. 

Council had invested $2.45 million.

Yes. Million.

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Chapman Valley

After this there were discussions between the Shire of Chapman Valley and the City of Geraldton Greenough about merging. But this was under the looming threat of forced mergers from the state government. 

As soon it became clear there would be no forced mergers by the state government, the Shire of Chapman Valley said "Thanks, but no thanks". 

So like any respectful neighbour, the City of Geraldton Greenough tried to enact an aggressive boundary readjustment on the Shire of Greenough to get a chunk of rate paying land from them and of course the coveted area allocated for the Oakajee Port and Industrial Estate. 

The president of the Shire of Chapman Valley, John Collingwood, said the aggressive boundary readjustment would have destroyed the Shire of Chapman Valley, taking around 37% of the rateable income. He also told the ABC that the City of Geraldton Greenough was "trying to destroy us". 

Those were his actual words. 

So the City of Geraldton Greenough wasn't making any friends. 

The community was again in shock. Who ARE these people!?

More trust was lost. More people up in arms. People in Chapman Valley were vehemently against merging with Geraldton Greenough, and they made it clearly known to their council and the State Government. 

The border readjustment did not succeed by the City of Geraldton Greenough. 

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Mullewa

Throughout 2010 and 2011 more negotiations were held. This time between the City of Geraldton-Greenough and the Shire of Mullewa, as to whether the two entities should merge.

After a long period of negotiations they decided to merge. 

A poll was requested by both communities and was held on 16 April 2011. 

Again, an overwhelming majority of voters said NO to the merger. 

In fact, in Mullewa it was 83.24% NO.

And in Geraldton-Greenough it was 72.39% NO.

It did not take a university education to realise once again the people who had actually chosen to make the Midwest home did NOT want this merger. 

However, as with EVERY local government election or poll, there was a lower than 50% turnout. 

So Mayor Carpenter, CEO Tony Brun and the rest of the team pushed forward with the unwanted merger. Because of that loophole mentioned earlier. 

The new weirdly shaped mega region was called Greater Geraldton. 

Most people were perplexed by the odd name. Greenough residents felt ripped off that their brand had now been permanently relegated to the annals of history and would no longer be a noun in daily use by the council and its staff. And many residents asked what we were "greater" than?

Surely folk who live in Mullewa don't tell their friends they live in the "Greater Geraldton" region.

It seemed the only thing the unwanted name had going for it was the ability to keep the same initials.

Most of that earlier rebranding was now money down the toilet. More was needed to be spent on the new rebranding.

The citizens of Geraldton, Greenough and Mullewa were told to drink their medicine because the educated bureaucrats knew what was good for us. There would be "efficiencies" and ultimately everyone would get more stuff for less money.

So to restate the obvious, Geraldton residents didn't want to merge. Greenough residents didn't want to merge. Mullewa residents didn't want to merge. Yet it was forced upon everyone anyway. 

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The final straw

Trust toward the council and the city was at an all time low. No one believed the people at the city really had the interests and wishes of the residents at heart. It seemed like Geraldton was a grand experiment for them all to practice what they'd learned at "City Planning School". 

Then the icing on the cake. 

The 2012 rate increase. 

People were in shock. Their annual rates bill came in at a 27% increase. Some people and businesses saw increases up to 30%. 

The line from the city was that this increase was needed to cover the shortfall of rates that had been charged for years. Essentially council wasn't leaving enough money in the kitty to fix stuff, and now they needed to. And the best way to do that was put the rates up 27% in one year. 

Businesses were flabbergasted. Home owners were in shock. The Member for Geraldton Ian Blayney said he was speechless (an oxymoron to be sure, but you get the point).  

Yours truly at that point had two houses in Rangeway and a block in Wandina. In part because of that alarming rate bills along with the promise that rates would continue to increase by 7.2% for the foreseeable future, my wife and I realised we couldn't afford to keep those properties, and sold them all.

Many residents shared similar stories.

If people distrusted the council before this, they hated them with a passion afterwards.

Community groups formed. The Chamber lobbied. Meetings were held.

And the CEO Tony Brun, who was perceived as the main energy behind it all resigned and went to Perth. 

At the next council elections only 6 of the 12 councillors were up for a vote. All 6 were replaced except for Shane van Styn who was endorsed by the community group "CGG Ratepayers Demand Change" as he promised to fight for lower rates and reduced council spending. 

The position of Mayor was not up for reelection. 

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That's a broad overview, but it brings us up to today. 

The $25million backlog

Now we're being told that decisions made by past councils and CEOs have left us with bills we cannot afford to pay. 

Never mind that the people of Geraldton complained loudly every time money was being wasted and were shut down with intelligent arguments about how necessary that particular piece of artwork or infrastructure was. 

The unwanted mergers that were rammed down our throats came with the promise of efficiency gains that never manifested. 

Instead the city is going to have to take drastic measures to curb spending. Redundancies will have to be made within the City staff. Every area of expenditure will have to be looked at to remove waste and the reduce rate payer burden.

But this is NOT drastic. It should be standard operating procedure. 

Ratepayers money should always be treated with the respect it deserves. It should have ALWAYS been the goal of the council and City staff to find ways to reduce the amount of money they need to take off us each year. 

Do we want sealed roads? Sure. 

Do we need yet another fireworks display funded by ratepayers? Not so much. 

Do we want our rubbish collected each week? Absolutely. 

Do ratepayers want to pay for free wifi for backpackers at the library when there's a perfectly good Internet cafe two doors down? Maybe not. 

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The current financial situation

CGG CEO Ken Diehm (if you're not paying attention the CEO is the person who the councillors and mayor employ to run the city) understands this thoroughly. 

His media briefing regarding the CGG's current state of affairs was frank, thorough and humble. He should also be commended on the obvious care he has for the wellbeing of the employees of the City. 

It was clear that he understood that the proposed rate increases for the coming years of 5.2% are too high. He, the city staff and the council say they're going to do everything in their power to get them below that number. 

But he didn't over promise either. He was frank about the fact that there was no way future rate rises would be kept as low as the CPI (consumer price index), as the major costs incurred by the council, like power, were generally rising much more than the CPI. 

Moreover, Ken and his team had commissioned auditors to physically go out to the roads and parks, the highways and byways, to inspect all of the assets of the City.

What they came back with wasn't pretty. 

There's essentially a $25 million backlog of urgent maintenance work that needs doing. That's not the kind of news a CEO who's inherited a position following a 27% rate increase wants to hear. 

Worse than that is the projection for the future. In 2027 and 2028 there will be a spike in road infrastructure expenses that the current CGG budget simply doesn't accommodate for. It might seem like someone else's problem because it's so far away, but kicking the can down the road is what has led to the problem we have now. 

So they're facing the music. Which is something. It could all be buried in an obscure public notice  full of technical terms that would cause anyone other than an accountant to glaze over. 

But to Mr Diehm's credit they've chosen to let everyone know the actual state of the union. 

He also explicitly pointed out that every time we build something new, we inherit the costs of maintaining that item and that is hurting us. Even if the funding to build the new hotness comes from another agency, Geraldton ratepayers still bear the burden of maintaining the infrastructure. For every $10 million in new infrastructure, operating costs increase by around $300,000 a year. 

(Yes, this is logical and many of you have been pointing this out for some time.)

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Crisis

I don't think this demonstrates a "crisis" like other media headlines have read. 

I think this actually represents a positive turning point in Geraldton's timeline. 

A "crisis" is having leaders who don't or won't listen to the public they're supposed to serve. 

What Ken is doing is showing he has been listening, and is prepared to make the changes needed to help relieve the burden on the ratepayers even if it makes his job a lot harder and a lot more stressful.

The "crisis" is what would happen in 10 years if we don't make some changes now. What the City is doing by offering its staff voluntary redundancies, going over expenditure with a fine tooth comb and aiming to keep rate increases as low as possible is not a crisis. 

It's good news. 

For the first time in a while it feels like Geraldton is in good hands. 

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So what's going to happen? 

There will be cut backs at the city. Staff are going to be offered voluntary redundancies. Ken says these will only be granted where the job can be done by someone else, and won't be granted to poor performers. They're looking for at least 20, and will assess the situation in the new year. (To their credit, the city acknowledges this could be an anxious process for some staff members, and has a free employee assistance program in place. Also credit for announcing now and not a post Christmas shock.)

Then the city directors and managers are basically going to look at all the services that ratepayers currently fund. From the Aquarena, to the Queens Park Theatre, to your rubbish being collected, roads built and maintained etc etc. Everything. 

These services will be categorised into "mandatory" and "non-mandatory" services. Expect things like your bins being collected to be mandatory. But things like free wifi at the foreshore isn't exactly a mandatory service. 

Once it's clear what is mandatory, a budget will be done based on these services.

Then non-mandatory services will be rated in order of priority. The city says it will look for input from the community and city staff to do this. 

Any available funds, less around $7.5million needed to fill the gap immediately, will be applied to the non mandatory services in order of their priority. 

This is where it could get messy. One man's mandatory service is another man's waste of money. You might want more shows at the QPT. Another person might prefer more books at the library. Getting a cohesive list of priorities for non-mandatory services might be a challenge, but at least it's being addressed. 

Any services that are unfunded basically don't make the cut, and will be recommended to council for discontinuation. 

The city is also going to look at the "level" of services it offers. For example (and this is our own example, not a prediction) the city might deem the tip is important to keep running, but might reduce the number of hours it is open. 

In addition to this, the city will be assessing what it does with its current assets. In early January it will be reviewing all its assets to determine if they need to be replaced or can be sold or disposed of. 

New capital works (that's code for "building new stuff") will also be reduced, unless a prior community commitment has already been given. 

Revenue

Other non-rates revenue streams will be looked at. 

There are lots of services that rate payers are essentially subsidising at the moment which might be able to be charged for, and these potential streams of income will be looked at. 

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So what does this all mean? 

For most of us, we won't notice a thing. The services we know and use will carry on, and hopefully any future rate increases will be reasonable and bearable. 

For some of us there's a chance a beloved ratepayer funded service may reduce or disappear. That seems to be the reality of the financial situation we currently have. 

But long term what would be most exciting is if a culture of genuinely listening to community feedback and acting on it becomes the pillar of how the City of Greater Geraldton operates. 

Enrolment quota determined for the redistribution of federal electoral boundaries in Western Australia

Acting Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers today announced the enrolment quota for the redistribution of federal electoral boundaries in Western Australia is 94 026.

“The enrolment quota is the first step in the redistribution process and is important as it sets numerical parameters that redrawn boundaries have to meet,” Mr Rogers said.

“When the boundaries are redrawn during the redistribution process, each electoral division must have between 84 623 and 103 428 electors – that is, a margin of up to 10 per cent variation from the quota.”

The enrolment quota was determined by dividing the number of electors enrolled in Western Australia as at 1 December 2014, the date the redistribution formally commenced, by the number of House of Representatives seats to which the state is entitled at the next federal election (16).

Members of the public will be invited to submit their suggestions about the redistribution in March 2015 with guidelines available to assist interested people or organisations. 

Proposed boundaries will be released later in 2015 with the final determination expected to be made on 19 January 2016.

An indicative timetable for the federal redistribution process in Western Australia is available at www.aec.gov.au/WA-timetable.

Full transcript and video of Melissa Price's parliament address on Psychoactive Substances

Memo for Ms Price

This proof report is issued by direction of the Speaker.

Ms PRICE (Durack) (13:25): I am pleased to rise to speak on this bill, the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Psychoactive Substances and Other Measures) Bill 2014, and about an issue which is, sadly, very important within my large electorate of Durack and in all communities throughout Australia. This bill amends a series of acts including the Criminal Code Act 1995, the Customs Act 1901 and the Surveillance Devices Act 2004. The bill contains a range of measures to improve Commonwealth criminal justice arrangements, including the following three: banning the importation of substances that have a psychoactive effect but are not otherwise regulated or banned; ensuring that Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers have appropriate powers to stop these substances at the borders; and validating access by the Australian Federal Police to certain investigative powers in designated state airports.

While the bill comprises six schedules, I want to focus today on schedule 1, which will amend the Criminal Code Act and the Customs Act to strengthen the Commonwealth's ability to respond to new and emerging illicit drugs, known as new psychoactive substances. These so-called synthetic drugs are designed to mimic the effect of illicit drugs, but their chemical compositions are not captured by existing controls on these drugs. Effectively, what we are talking about is the new ice. There is evidence that manufacturers design the chemical structures of new psychoactive substances to avoid current controls and prohibitions. The amendments in schedule 1 will fill the regulatory gap. They will ensure that new psychoactive substances cannot be imported while the government assesses their harm and considers the appropriate controls to place on them. The measure takes a precautionary approach to dealing with psychoactive substances. It is intended not to replace but to work in parallel with the existing arrangements which regulate the importation of both illicit drugs and substances with a legitimate use into Australia.

The largest urban centre in my electorate is Geraldton, with a population edging on 40,000 people. Too many of its residents suffer from alcohol misuse or from the harm arising from illicit drug use and its associated impacts, including harm to mental health and crime. I am advised by some working in the drug and alcohol services industry that the culture around alcohol in Geraldton is ridiculous. They cited an anecdote about a bouncer, recently seen sprawled on his back across the bar and being fed alcohol through a hose. There are pockets of amphetamine use—drugs such as speed or ice—together with a proportion of new psychoactive substances. These are causing serious issues because they simply cannot be tested at present.

Let us talk about the notions of responsibility and acceptance. Personal harm associated with the use of drugs is considered to be high. In comparison, related crimes such as road accidents and domestic violence are more strongly linked to alcohol abuse. In general, there is an acceptance by those who are extreme drinkers or amphetamine users of substance use and abuse and its impacts—and the acceptance of this use and abuse and its impacts plays an essential role in these people's ongoing substance abuse. But there is an expectation that the police, drug and alcohol agencies will somehow fix the problem, rather than users taking personal responsibility for their own actions and behaviours.

We know that one woman each week in Australia dies from domestic violence. This is clearly not acceptable. I would like to pause for a moment to recognise White Ribbon Day, which is tomorrow 25 November. White Ribbon Day is the international day for the elimination of violence against women and a day when we must stand against domestic violence. This is a community-wide issue in my electorate of Durack. Violence against women and children and much of this harm is fuelled by drug and alcohol abuse.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members’ statements has concluded. The debate may be resumed at a later hour and the member will have leave to continue her remarks when the debate is resumed.

Ms PRICE (Durack) (15:48): I applaud the Australian and New Zealand police commissioners who this morning came together here at Parliament House to stand against violence towards women and children. I was particularly pleased to see my Western Australian commissioner, Karl O'Callaghan, who joined with this group. This is a very powerful union which sends a strong message that our police leaders take claims of domestic violence seriously and puts perpetrators of domestic violence on notice that Australia does not tolerate domestic violence towards women and children, that perpetrators will be 'punished with the full severity of the law'—to quote the Prime Minister from this morning's event—and that domestic violence victims will be protected.

In Geraldton, amphetamines and other synthetic drugs are prevalent amongst the general population as well as the Aboriginal population. We all see this in our towns, cities, rural communities and remote communities and also within our workplaces, families, friendship groups and neighbourhoods. I recently hosted a community crime forum in Geraldton where my co-host for the day, the Minister for Justice, the Hon. Michael Keenan, was urgently called back to Canberra as soon as he disembarked his flight in Geraldton. The forum, held on 18 September, went some way towards further fleshing out the drug related crime incidence and the causes and strategies in place to counter these in Geraldton. During the forum, we sought the community's views on what practical and tangible actions might be taken to help address the crime and antisocial behaviour which frequently stems from drug and/or alcohol abuse. I acknowledge the City of Greater Geraldton, the Geraldton police and regional Western Australia commander Murray Smallpage for their support of and participation in the forum and the excellent work they are doing in Geraldton and its surrounds to help combat the supply of drugs into the region and to help combat antisocial behaviour, crime, violence and personal harm arising from drug and alcohol abuse.

It is worth recording some key sentiments that emerged from the crime forum discussions amongst the 50-odd participants. One was that illicit drug use feeds crime, including burglary, house break-ins and muggings, and that the regrettable loss of funding for programs such as the youth bus and Midnight Basketball will have adverse impacts. People are terribly concerned about this because they fear an increase in drug taking, antisocial behavior and crime.

Another observation was that leadership within the Geraldton community, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, is strong and that joint endeavours to address drugs, crime and associated impacts of harm and violence are characterised by collaboration and planning amongst stakeholders, both government and not-for-profit groups. There is a strong sense that there is capacity in Geraldton to address the problem; however, a long-term view, with bipartisan support and ongoing funding for programs, is an essential element.

Food, clothing, shelter, education and personal safety were considered causal factors for alcohol and drug abuse and resultant antisocial behaviour, harm and violence. Another observation was that drug and alcohol misuse and abuse are symptoms of greater problems and not the cause of people's problems. There was discussion of parental responsibility. Somehow, we must get parents to exercise responsibility. Money for programs can only achieve so much and is not the complete answer. It is about changing children's lives with their parents; it is not just about taking kids of the streets—although that is a jolly good start.

The discussion at the Geraldton community crime forum inevitably led to discussions that alcohol and illicit drugs are root causes of crime and antisocial behaviour, including domestic violence, underpinned by a range of social issues with which we here are all too familiar.

A number of my constituents in Geraldton are passionate crusaders for drug reform. In particular, they campaign for a reduction in drug usage rather than for a reduction in harm caused by illicit drugs, which, they allege, simply fuels the gateway of the ongoing criminality of illicit drug dealing, manufacture and usage. The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Psychoactive Substances and Other Measures) Bill 2014 will ensure that new psychoactive substances cannot be imported while the government assesses the harm they cause and considers the appropriate controls to place on them—thereby limiting supply and usage.

I am using the opportunity today to commend the work and the initiative being undertaken by the Midwest Gascoyne Human Services Regional Managers Group. This group comprises around 20 members, those members being the heads of government agencies—that is regional managers and CEOs—across the Mid West and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia, and is currently chaired by District Superintendent Andy Greatwood of the WA Police. This group has been in operation since 2006, which is more than eight years. They strive to coordinate resolutions and prioritise locational needs; act as a conduit between community and government departments, systems and processes; and facilitate and clarify funding possibilities to address local issues. The group recently developed a new strategic plan which aims to align the group with the cabinet standing committee on Aboriginal affairs and various state subcommittees. They meet regularly in Geraldton and Carnarvon and have a system of community based subcommittees which collaborate on program delivery, with a good deal of their time dedicated to dealing with the harms of alcohol and drug misuse.

Synthetic psychoactive substances pose a serious risk to the community, just as traditional illicit drugs do. Associated harm and tragic deaths arising from the use of these substances have been well reported. The legislation will ban all psychoactive substances unless they have a legitimate use and will close the loophole that allows people to avoid prosecution by ever so slightly changing the chemical structure of a drug. I commend this bill which amends a series of acts and contains a range of measures to improve Commonwealth criminal justice arrangements, to ban the importation of substances that have a psychoactive effect and that are not otherwise regulated, and to ensure that Australian Customs and Border Protection officers have appropriate powers to stop these substances at the border. I commend this bill to the House.

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One step closer to shutting down the synthetic drug trade

Last night the House of Representatives passed the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Psychoactive Substances and Other Measures) Bill 2014.

This legislation will allow law enforcement agencies to charge people who import synthetic drugs whose chemical structures have been deliberately changed so they can be legally imported into our country.

Synthetic drugs are often marketed as legal alternatives to illicit drugs, implying they are somehow safe and credible.

Yet, tragically, we have learned too many times through death or injury to people, especially our young people that this is not the case. These drugs are extremely dangerous.

Existing criminal laws ban illicit drugs based on their chemical structure. However, the rate at which new versions of synthetic drugs appear makes it difficult for our laws to keep up.

These legislative changes put us ahead of the criminals.  Rather than law enforcement agencies having to prove that the particular structure of a psychoactive substance is illegal, all psychoactive substances will be prohibited from importation unless the importer can prove they have a legitimate use.

The new ban will help stop synthetic drugs from being presented as ‘legal’.  Governments and law enforcement agencies will no longer be trying to play catch up every time a ‘new’ synthetic drug is produced.

The ban will add to existing illicit drug offences, which will continue to be the primary way we deal with illicit drugs and the people who try to import them.

The Bill is now subject to debate in the Senate.

DFES Midwest position made redundant

The Government has come under fire after confirmation that a position within the Department of Fire and Safety (DFES) Geraldton has been made redundant.

Labor Party's Darren West MLC questioned the redundancy of the position in Parliament on September 25th.

Mr West asked, “Can the minister confirm this position has been made redundant? If yes to, what is the rationale for making the job redundant?”

Minister for commerce, Michael Mischin replied, “Yes, the temporary contract position will cease as of 30 November 2014.

“The community emergency services manager position was fully funded by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services in 2009 as a two-year contract position through to 2011 to provide assistance and support to local governments and pastoralists in the Murchison Gascoyne region,” he said.

“This was with the intent that, during this period, the five local Governments serviced by the CESM position would consider co-funding it as a permanent local government authority–DFES position, as is the case with the other 24 CESM positions throughout Western Australia.

“Unfortunately, the five local governments have advised that they are not able to financially contribute to this proposal. DFES has in good faith continued to fund the position and extend the contract on an annual basis since 2011.”

Mr West expressed his concern as to who would now provide land management advice in the Midwest.

Mr Mischin assured Mr West that there would still be other permanent staff members based in the Midwest.

“The DFES Midwest Gascoyne region has six other permanent LGA–DFES co-funded CESMs and nine DFES operational employees who are based within the Midwest Gascoyne region and will continue to assist DFES with the regional preparedness, prevention, response and recovery support to all local governments and pastoralists in the region,” Mr Mischin said.

Mr Mischin also said that the full-time equivalent position had not been transferred to a metropolitan area.

S-Bend to be realigned

Part 2 of the Brand Highway realignment will be the straightening of the Brand Highway S-Bend.

The design has already been completed and authorities are currently trying to acquire the land for the project.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder was in Geraldton last week to officially open the new Greenough River traffic bridge, which was stage one of the Brand Highway realignment project.

“The State Government has committed $18million to this whole project and there are 3 stages," Mr Nalder said.

"The first stage which was the Greenough River Bridge which was about $8.1 million so it leaves us roughly $10 million for the other two stages.

“The design for Stage 2, which will focus on the realignment of Brand Highway through the S-Bend curves to join up with the existing highway south of the S-Bend Caravan Park, is now finalised and land requirements are being finalised.”

Main Roads Regional Gascoyne Manager Bernie Miller, said they had started a notice of intention process which will conclude in February 2015.

The S-Bend section of the highway is used by approximately 2,800 vehicles daily and since 2007 there have 20 crashes resulting in 5 fatalities.

“We want to straighten the S-Bend to take out the risks of those curves,” Mr Nalder said.

Mr Nalder could not give an exact timeline as to when to project would get underway.

The final stage of the Brand Highway realignment will include realigning the road from the S-Bend Caravan Park to south of Bookara East Road. 

No 138 bed emergency accommodation for Geraldton

Back in February of last year Nationals candidate Shane Van Styn was running in the state election vying to be member for Geraldton against Liberal incumbent Ian Blayney. 

He committed to throwing his weight behind a $10million facility that would have 138 beds available as emergency short term accommodation.

Click to view full article

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The 138 bed facility would have been a great asset for the community, as quoted at the time:

Mr Van Styn said the hostel would provide a much needed accommodation base for Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people in the community requiring emergency short-term housing. 

“Many Aboriginal families in particular are required to travel long distances to access services in Geraldton, which can be a significant financial burden,” Mr Van Styn said.

“A hostel would mean there would be a reduced need for mums, dads and children to sleep rough when away from home, which in turn reduces social friction and improves health outcomes.”

Mr Van Styn said The Nationals recognised the difficulties faced by families when making the journey to Geraldton, as well as the dire need for emergency housing for the wider Geraldton community and the need to provide assistance to reduce the associated hardships.

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Gian De Poloni from ABC Midwest reported on Friday that the commitment has been shelved.

WA Labor has hit out at the National Party over a shelved election commitment to build an 138-bed crisis hostel in #Geraldton.

— Gian De Poloni (@GianDePoloni) October 3, 2014

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But Van Styn is not taking any of the blame.

Former Geraldton Nationals Candidate Shane Van Styn says it didn't happen because he wasn't elected to power.

— Gian De Poloni (@GianDePoloni) October 3, 2014

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To be fair to Mr Van Styn, this is what he said back then:

“If elected as the member for Geraldton in March (2013), I will make this project a local priority and work with the project proponents to ensure it gets up and running.”

— Shane Van Styn

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Many Geraldton voters probably thought they would get the benefits of the Nationals promises as a Liberal/National state government was elected, but here's a quote from Premier Colin Barnet after the election

“(We will) deliver on the commitments made by the Liberal Party and the Leader of the National Party will bring his commitments to Cabinet.”

— Colin Barnett, May 2013

Which basically says: we make no assurances to keep the National Party's commitments. 

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How did the election actually turn out?

If you recall, Liberal won 31 seats, Labor 21, Nationals 7, giving Liberal an outright majority and removing their need to rely on the Nationals for the balance of power. 

In WA the Liberals and Nationals are not an actual coalition, but have a power sharing agreement of sorts, thus the Nationals rely on their balance of power to get things done. 

It's noteworthy that Labor would "hit out" at the Nationals, as Labor gave their preferences to Liberal in the seat of Geraldton over the Nationals. (link)

Greenough River Bridge officially opens

Today Transport Minister Dean Nalder officially declared the new Greenough River Bridge on the Brand Highway open.

The bridge is stage one of the State Government's Brand Highway development.

The new bridge was completed by contractor Georgiou Group Pty Ltd and it included 1.23kms of roadwork on both bridge approaches to realign the highway and another one kilometer of roadworks to realign the intersections with Reynolds Road and Hamersley Road.

"This new concrete bridge is much wider, longer and higher than the original structure built in 1953," Mr Nalder said.

"Opened to traffic in August, it improves safety for the almost 3000 vehicles that use this route everyday and will significantly reduce costs for the transport industry, which has previously cut off supplies to Geraldton and other nearby towns."

Mr Nalder said it was all about safety and mentioned that in 7 years there had been 20 crashes and 5 fatalities on this section of the Brand Highway.

Stage 2 of the project will include the realignment of the S-Bend.

Online survey for WA's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people

Western Australia’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Jenni Perkins, has today released an online survey for WA’s under 18 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. 

The online survey is part of Ms Perkins’ consultation with the State’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, and she is seeking your support to ensure many have the opportunity to have a say.

“This consultation project aims to give WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people a voice on what is important to them, their hopes for the future and what they need to help them do well,” Ms Perkins said.

The survey is open to all WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people under 18 and will be available at www.ccyp.wa.gov.au until 21 November 2014.

“In addition to the survey, I have appointed 16 community organisations from Kununurra to Albany to run consultations with local groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people,” Ms Perkins added.

“I received a strong field of expressions of interest to run these consultations and I appreciate the support of the community and non-government sector in this project.”

The survey and other consultations will be used to develop a report that outlines the views and ideas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, and gives recognition to the positive contributions they make to family and community life.

“I encourage you to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people’s participation in the survey and share details of this important project with your networks.”

Click here to take the survey. 

Geraldton and Mullewa pools get funding

City of Greater Geraldton pools in Geraldton and Mullewa will be sparkling that little bit more this summer after $30,000 of grants funded by Royalties for Regions.

The grants come as part of the Community Pool Revitalisation Program, which through Royalties for Regions will contribute $13.2 million over four years towards supporting local pools and aquatic facilities in regional WA. 

Money will go towards aquatic centre maintenance, upgrades, purchase of pool equipment and staff training at the Geraldton Aquarena and the Mullewa Swimming Pool. 

Member for Moore Shane Love MLA and Member for the Agricultural Region Paul Brown MLC congratulated the City on receiving the grants, saying they hoped to see the funding boost in action over the summer months. 

“Anyone who lives in a regional area knows how important local pools are to their community, and we don’t mean just for taking a cooling dip,” they said.

“These facilities also play a valuable role in connecting the community socially, providing numerous health benefits, recreation opportunities and increasing education outcomes.

“This funding will keep our local pools as inviting and accessible as possible to people of all ages, encouraging them to lead an active, healthy and refreshing lifestyle.”

The Community Pool Revitalisation Program was a Nationals WA election commitment in 2013, providing regional local governments up to $30,000 per aquatic facility under their management each year.

In the inaugural funding round, a total of $2,708,128 was granted to 91 pools around WA. Of 127 public aquatic centres in the state, almost 100 are located in the regions.

It is estimated they receive more than 10 million visits each year and in 2012-13 employed more than 3000 people in a full or part-time capacity, including life guards, pool operators and swimming instructors/coaches.

For further information about the Community Pool Revitalisation Program visit www.dsr.wa.gov.au/cprp 

Exmouth Defence proposal one step closer

Member for Durack Melissa Price.

Defence is progressing its proposal to construct a Space Surveillance Telescope Facility at the Harold E Holt Naval Communications Station in Exmouth, Western Australia, with the referral of the project to the Public Works Committee.

The facility would be the cornerstone of a space situational awareness partnership between Australia and the United States, following a 2012 agreement that both governments would work towards locating a Space Surveillance Telescope on Australian soil.

Valued at $63 million inclusive of design, construction and fittings, Melissa Price Member for Durack said that the referral is a positive action in securing the project for WA and in enhancing the Defence presence in Exmouth.

“Exmouth is a vibrant town in my electorate of Durack and has played a global role for many years in Defence and in space technology,” Ms Price said.

“Exmouth was established in 1967 to support the nearby US Naval Communication Station and in the early seventies, Exmouth began hosting US Air Force personnel assigned to the nearby Learmonth Solar Observatory.

“As the town develops and diversifies its economy with tourism, fishing, and servicing of the oil and gas industry, Defence continues to be of fundamental importance to Exmouth’s economic base.

“I am extremely pleased that this latest proposal has been referred to the Public Works Committee, which will now conduct an inquiry into the project,” Ms Price said.

The facility would be located within the existing Harold E Holt Naval Communications Station offering the best conditions for telescope functionality of the sites available.

Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in early 2015. 

Landcare grants open in Durack

Landcare and other community groups in Durack will be able to access a helping hand with the launch of the 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants 2014-15 as part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme, Melissa Price, Federal Member for Durack said today.

“The grant round is a fitting way to commemorate the twenty fifth anniversary by supporting the carers at what they do best – caring for the land,” Ms Price said.

“Interested groups can apply for up to $20,000 from a competitive pool of $5 million nationally, for projects that are local in nature.

“The grant round is designed to support local landcare projects as well as local natural resource management groups to help protect their local environment.

“This means that Indigenous communities, farmers, fishers and other land and sea managers in Durack, from the Kimberley to the Wheatbelt, could look at getting involved and make an application,” Ms Price said.

Ms Price reconfirmed the Australian Government’s commitment to ensuring 20 per cent of Australian Government investment made through the regional natural resource management organisations will be directed towards local projects and activities that are delivered by the community, under the National Landcare Programme’s regional stream.

“Essentially funding will be available on an annual basis to farmers, landcare and community groups in Durack so that they can continue with important on-ground works in their local communities,” Ms Price said.

The funding round opened on 19 September and closes on 20 October 2014.

For more information about the National Landcare Programme 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants 2014-15 go to www.nrm.gov.au.

Early intervention for youth crime hindered by budget cuts

Budget cuts to local organisations were a conversation point at today’s crime forum held at the QPT. 

The forum, hosted by Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price, went ahead despite Federal Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan, unable to attend due to overnight raids in Sydney.

Ms Price was joined by the City of Greater Geraldton Manager Community Law and Safety Konrad Seidl, Police Superintendent Andrew Greatwood, Senior Sergeant Martin Haime and Commander Murray Smalpage.

Today, Ms Price said the Coalition Government had delivered on its commitment to address crime and anti-social behavior with $440,000 announced for CCTV footage around Geraldton including the Esplanade, HMAS Sydney II Memorial and Car Park 5 on Sanford Street. 

But not everyone was pleased about the approach.  

Jenny Allen from the Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre said more money needed to be put into early intervention programs rather than have the focus on catching criminals.

“CCTV is about catching people but the programs we offer are about early intervention,” she said.

“We really need some focus on that in Geraldton.”

Some youth focused programs delivered by the Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre will not go ahead next year due to Federal Government budget cuts.

“Unfortunately it has been a really tough week for me, because I’ve had to tell a number of our staff that they won't have jobs next year - these are our youth workers,” Mrs Allen said.

“And that’s because of cuts in funding, particularly Federal Government funding into youth programs.”

In earlier talks in the forum, Midnight Basketball had been discussed as one of the City’s most successful programs for youth and crime prevention.

However, with Federal budget cuts many of those who were involved in Midnight Basketball will no longer be part of the program.

“The success of Midnight Basketball is partly due to 4 of our staff who are paid to go and support the program and a number of those staff members will not have a job next year,” Mrs Allen said.

“We will continue as an organization but I am concerned about those particular funding cuts and for example, Midnight Basketball, you’ll have 4 less staff there to support that next year.”

Ms Price said she agreed with Mrs Allen and that she was still fighting that battle.

“In terms of youth connections, I’m really disappointed that that money was cut, and as Jenny knows, I’ve written to the state Government and I’ve also written to my federal colleague to ask for at least to have that extended,” she said.

“And it may be too late for the people Jenny unfortunately had to let go, but I’m still fighting that particular one.

“I’m very concerned about young people in Geraldton, and listening to Conrad talk about the great work that the Council is doing, it’s a real shame to think that those sorts of programs will be affected.

“I haven’t given up, I do acknowledge the work that Jenny and her team do, it is an issue and unfortunately money is too tight to mention at the moment.

“I don’t want to get political, and I won't, but we are doing the best that we can considering the circumstances, but there is no doubt that it is an issue and as I said today on radio today, education, education, education is what we need to give young people, and I know Jenny was providing a great service for those kids who didn’t fit the main stream model and to give them some skills for them to go out and get a job give them something worthwhile to do with their lives.”

Local resident Michael Warner gave his opinion on the issue saying there wasn't enough early intervention with youth and crime. 

“I don’t want to get into Indigenous youth or Caucasian youth but I have to agree – what are we doing to mitigate the crime before it even starts?” he said.

“It seems to me that what we have is faginism, what we have are people that preying on disadvantaged youth and disengaged youth. Why do we have them? Because the federal government has ripped so much money out of programs that we can’t cope anymore.

“The Police are doing the best job and I congratulate the Police on the high profile that they’ve made in the last 6 months, but I really would like an answer to this – what are we doing about engaging the families and getting them to accept the responsibility of their children, because after all, that is one answer.”

Ms Price went onto reply that money wasn't the answer.

“I know that the Prime Minister has a personal commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal people, and going through the numerous programs, community groups, non-community groups, we all know there are hundreds of them costing all of us, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, billions of dollars so guess what? Money wasn’t the answer,” she said.

Improved power supplies for Mid-West

Towns in Western Australia’s Mid-West region will benefit from a reliable new power supply which Horizon Power forecasts will save taxpayers millions of dollars.

Energy Minister Mike Nahan today announced a new power purchase agreement with WA company Contract Power Australia for the supply of electricity to the Mid-West towns of Cue, Meekatharra, Yalgoo, Wiluna, Sandstone and Mount Magnet.

“This agreement will ensure a safe and reliable power supply for the Mid-West as well as providing savings for the State Government through a more flexible supply arrangement,” Dr Nahan said. 

Five new diesel-fired power stations and one gas-fired power station will be funded and built by Contract Power Australia on land owned by Horizon Power.  A new station may be built in Norseman, if required. 

“The new arrangement gives Horizon Power much more flexibility in finding the most economical way of providing additional capacity if required in the future, and offers the ability to augment the generation capacity with renewable energy,” the Minister said.

“Horizon Power is currently exploring several options to enable more households to connect solar energy to our network and we hope to give more information on this new development in the coming months.”

Since the inception of Horizon Power in 2006, the operating subsidy from the State Government has grown substantially and the business has recognised that this is not sustainable in the long term.  Horizon Power undertook a strategic review last year following consultation with the State Government and identified that it could reduce its operating costs significantly.  The goal is to decrease its subsidy by $100million a year by 2018. 

Dr Nahan said the Mid-West project was testimony to how the Government would continue its work to find better ways to deliver essential services to all West Australians while allowing for the uptake of renewable energy and displacing diesel fuel generation.

Geraldton Crime Forum

Federal Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price, want to hear your thoughts on what action can be taken locally to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the Geraldton community. Date: Thursday 18th September 2014 Time 11.00am for a 11.30am start Location Queens Park Theatre, Cathedral Avenue GERALDTON WA 6531 RSVP: By COB Monday 15th September 2014 PH: 08 9964 2195 or via email to mpricersvp@aph.gov.au 

For any enquiries, please contact Melissa Price’s office on 08 9964 2195.

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State Government management order secured for Original Railway Station

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A State Government management order has been secured for the Original Railway Station building on Marine Terrace.

The City, its residents and visitors, are set to benefit from the management order that will save more than $11,000 a year as land ownership is retained by the State, but provides the City with management of the facility at no cost.

Member for Geraldton Ian Blayney was involved in negotiations with the State Government securing the management order and the City have said it will save them thousands of dollars in lease fees.

The Original Railway Station is one of the City’s much loved heritage buildings that has for many years been left to languish as a suitable tenant could not be found.

It is now being lovingly restored, thanks to funding from the City of Greater Geraldton and the State Government through its Royalties for Regions program and Lotterywest, and will become the new home for the Geraldton Visitor Centre.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said it was great news.

“The Premier has confirmed that the State Government has offered the Original Railway Station to the City under a management order. This is great news for our residents and means the City will save tens of thousands of dollars over the years,” he said.

Mr Blayney said he is very happy to see the City and the State working together to preserve and use the iconic heritage building.

“The Original Railway Station Building has remained in a derelict condition for some time,” he said.

“Given the significant and cultural heritage values of the building, and the large investment the City and the State Government is making, the proposed usage of the Original Railway Station as the Geraldton Visitor Centre is consistent with the land being again reserved for Community Purposes, with a management order provided to the City.”

Restoration and refurbishment works are scheduled for completion in November ready for the Geraldton Visitor Centre to move in.

Visitors will experience the history of this iconic building with interpretive heritage signage and audio oral history detailing the life and times of the building which also in the past has housed the Mechanics Institute, a library and the museum.

Geraldton was part of the first government railway line in WA making the Original Railway Station the oldest in existence in the State.

The friendly visitor centre staff will welcome visitors into an open plan information ‘hub’ covering all there is to see and do in Geraldton and its surrounding Coral Coast neighbours, as well as an expanded retail section featuring local products.

A special ‘themed’ area will take advantage of key seasonal attractions including the region’s wildflowers.

A new café opening onto a foreshore-facing deck will encourage people to stop, take a break and plan their exploration of the region’s beautiful area. There will also be space to relax, read and discover in the first floor interpretation area featuring audio history, local artists’ works and more.

Water Minister visits Geraldton to discuss odour complaints

Water Minister Mia Davies visited Geraldton on Monday to discuss odour complaints coming from the Utakarra Waste Water Pumping Station. Residents have been complaining for months about the odour and after the Minister's visit yesterday, Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said the Water Corporation are hopeful that the odour issues can be addressed by October and other issues fully resolved by mid-February, 2015.

Minister Davies was accompanied to the site by senior staff of the Water Corporation and spent Monday afternoon inspecting the site and being briefed on the continuing work being undertaken to resolve the odour issues that have been a concern for local residents.

The Minister met with the City of Greater Geraldton CEO, Ken Diehm and Mayor Ian Carpenter to discuss the new biological odour scrubbers that will be fitted in October and the installation of the new pumps in February.

A meeting was also held with local residents who expressed their concerns and the impact that the continuing problems at the Waste Water Pumping Station was having on their day to day lives.

“A reference group has been formed. This group will receive regular briefings on progress, which I will be happy to facilitate," Mr Blayney said.