JUNE 29
Barton candidates will take part in a community forum at Arncliffe tonight (Wednesday June 29), which will be shown live on Facebook.
The Arncliffe Future Forum will be held at the Scots club at 7pm.
An organiser, Greta Werner, said the Forum was a community-organised platform, established by residents in the area to discuss matters of importance.
Ms Werner said all candidates, except Liberal Nick Varvaris, had accepted an invitation to speak.
Ms Werner said Mr Varvaris had replied to the invitation, but was unable to attend.
Speakers will be Harry Tsoukalas (Online Direct Democracy), Linda Burney (Labor), Brent Heber (Greens), Rasmus Torkel (Independent) and Sonny Susilo (Christian Democratic Party).
“We believe in democracy and everyone is welcome,” Ms Werner said.
“ We care about our local community and we aim to find out what issues are important to everyone through respectful and principled discussion.”
“The area within the Barton electorate is rapidly changing with many new developments, new roads and a growing population.
“What will the liveability of the area be like during the implementation of future plans and what will our local area look like in a few years’ time?
“What visions do our local candidates have for the future of Barton?”
View the event at: facebook.com/Arncliffefutureforum/.
JUNE 23
Barton MP Nick Varvaris has promised a re-elected Coalition government will provide $1.1 million to help Arncliffe Aurora Football Club build a new youth facility.
Mr Varvaris said the club was experiencing annual growth of 30 per cent.
The club planned to use the building for a range of purposes to support the local community, including seminars for local young people and tutoring in subject areas including maths, science and English.
Mr Varvaris said, at present, Arncliffe Aurora had about 450 players, and the number was expected to climb to about 800 within the next five years.
“The building will not only cater for the needs of the football club, but more importantly for local young people, encouraging their physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development,” he said.
CALL TO BOOST OVERSEAS AID
Church leaders and Catholic school students in Hughes electorate have met with candidates to voice their support for a more generous and effective aid program that helps fight poverty.
Over a ‘meet and greet’ Afternoon Tea at St Patrick’s College, Sutherland, Christian leaders discussed Australia’s response to global poverty with Craig Kelly, Diedree Steinwall, Phil Smith and Ellie Robertson.
Prayers were said for all candidates running in the upcoming federal election.
The event was supported by Micah Australia, a coalition of Christian churches and aid organisations, aimed to show candidates the strong support for aid in Hughes.
“People in Hughes are very supportive of Australian aid and know that it makes a real difference towards supporting communities and countries in their efforts to overcome poverty,” said Erica Lim, a Hughes constituent and event organiser.
National coodinator of Micah Australia, Ben Thurley, spoke about the importance of Australian aid, particularly in educating women in the best practices in childbirth and pregnancy in developing countries countries such as Bangladesh.
“If we want to build a more just, peaceful and sustainable world in which everyone can truly prosper, then the next elected member will not only want to rise to all the challenges of representing the electorate, but to also helping our Parliament meet the big global challenges of poverty and inequality,” he said.
“Through our tax dollars, Australian aid is one of the ways we help contribute a better world for all.”
PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE URGED
An alliance of health and community leaders has called on candidates in Banks to prioritise preventive health at this election and act to reduce the “devastating burden of chronic disease” experienced in this electorate.
The alliance, Prevention 1st, comprises the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, Public Health Association of Australia, Alzheimer’s Australia and the Consumer’s Health Forum of Australia.
It has mounted a national campaign, calling on all political parties to put preventive health policy first.
An alliance statement said analysis of hospitalisation and harm data in the region covered partly by Banks showed more than 2400 people were estimated to be living with dementia in 2016.
One in four adults had have some form of cardiovascular disease, including conditions such as heart disease, oedema and diseases of the arteries.
This rate was greater than the one in five observed nationally.
The alliance said almost one in six adults in the region had signs of chronic kidney disease, and almost one in 20 had diabetes.
It said preventable illnesses and diseases placed significant pressure on already overstretched hospitals and health systems.
A third of all chronic diseases could be traced back to four modifiable risk factors: alcohol and tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition.
JUNE 16
HEADSPACE AT HURSTVILLE ‘UNDER THREAT’
The headspace youth mental health service at Hurstville faces an uncertain future under a Coalition government, Labor says.
Opposition spokeswoman on mental health, Senator Katy Gallagher visited the national youth mental health foundation centre with Labor candidate for Banks, Chris Gambian,
Ms Gallagher said the Turnbull government was refusing to give funding certainty to this centre and many others past 2018.
She said Health Minister Sussan Ley had informed all headspace centres, beyond 2018, primary health networks would be required to tender for services currently provided by headspace.
“This decision gives the successful service in Hurstville and 94 other centres around the country a two-year shelf life and puts the internationally renowned model of care at risk,” Ms Gallagher said.
A response was sought from the government.
JUNE 14
Decision time has arrived for many voters with the start of pre-poll voting today (Tuesday, June 14).
A record number of people, possibly a third of those enrolled, are expected to cast their ballot early this year.
Voters can visit a pre-poll centre or apply for postal vote.
The proportion of pre-poll votes rose from 18 per cent in 2010 to 27 per cent at the 2013 election, and is expected to rise further.
Postal vote applications grew by 38 per cent to more than 1.3 million, effectively doubling since 2004.
This year, voters seeking to pre-poll will be asked for the first time whether they are entitled to do so.
They don’t have this option if it is just for their convenience or personal preference.
The Australian Electoral Commission said the question was added to "provide greater awareness of the rules under the Electoral Act".
The trend towards voting early has forced political parties to change the way they campaign.
The timing of major announcements and advertising has been affected.
With the July 2 election falling during school holidays everywhere except South Australia, Swinburne University researcher Nathaniel Reader told Fairfax Media 2016 could be a landmark year for early voting.
Mr Reader, an expert on early voting at Australian and US elections, said convenience and changing lifestyles were driving increases in early voting.
JUNE 10
Labor leader Bill Shorten made a flying visit to St Mary's Star of the Sea Primary School, Hurstville.
Mr Shorten was welcomed by principal Steve Darcy and school leaders Mary Murray, Harry Mullen, Camryn Barrins and Dennis Liang.
A huge media contingent, which arrived by bus, followed Mr Shorten into a Year One classroom where he and Labor candidate for Barton, Linda Burney, sat and talked with pupils.
With the pictures for tonight’s TV news completed, Mr Shorten headed off for his next election campaign engagement.
Mr Darcy said he was notified of the proposed visit early in the week.
“i think it’s fantastic,” he said.
“it recognises the important role of the Catholic system in educating our society.
“We are very appreciative of the bipartisan support we receive from the federal government.”
The Meet the Candidates forum for candidates in Banks, which was to be held in St Mark's Church, South Hurstville, last Sunday June 5 was washed out.
Rector Peter Greenwood has re-scheduled the event for Sunday June 19, at 2pm.
“The federal election provides the opportunity for citizens to be actively involved in our democracy,” he said.
“This is the chance we have to ‘have our say’, and it is crucial that we are informed about who and what we are voting for."
JULIE BISHOP ON PM CHANGE
“That’s hypothetical,” Deputy Liberal Party leader Julie Bishop said when asked whether opinion polls for the Coalition might be better if Tony Abbott had remained leader.
Ms Bishop answered questions from the Leader while pledging $1.75 million for sports facility improvements in St George, including help to provide a synthetic football field in Penshurst Park.
“The party made a decision and [Malcolm Turnbull] has been the leader since September, and he is doing a very fine job as Prime Minister,” she said.
“The sense I get around the country is people want to see Malcolm Turnbull as their Prime Minister.
“He is a self made man, his personal experience growing up is inspiring to others and he has been a highly successful businessman.”
Ms Bishop said this was her seventh election and “they are always close”, but she was “quietly confident” of a Coalition victory.
She was also “quietly confident” David Coleman would retain Banks but, when it was suggested she might like to share the party’s polling in the marginal seat, replied, “That’s not going to happen”.
Ms Bishop defended Barton MP’s Nick Varvaris over his indecision about standing again.
“I only registered the other day; nominations only opened last week,” she said.
Mr Bishop said she campaigned last week with Mr Varvaris in Hurstville, and he was “a very popular local member”.
“The Greek community embrace him, the Chinese community embrace him and I am really pleased with the way his campaign is going,” she said.
JENNY MACKLIN IN KOGARAH
Jenny Macklin promoted Labor’s jobs plan for people with disability during a visit to The Intellectual Disability Foundation of St George in Kogarah.
Ms Macklin, the Opposition’s spokeswoman for Disability Reform, was accompanied by Barton candidate Linda Burney and state MPs Steve Kamper (Rockdale) and Sophie Cotsis (upper house).
Ms Macklin said Labor’s policy would see better integration of disability job plans by organisations working in the sector.
Ms Burney said the plan would see people with disability more able than ever to engage with the workforce.
“It isn’t just about economic productivity, but about allowing people with disability to gain the gain the self-confidence and self-worth that comes with it,” she said.
JUNE 8
MARRIAGE EQUALITY FORUM IN ARNCLIFFE
Australian Marriage Equality will hold an election forum in the Barton electorate.
The meeting will be at 6.30pm on Thursday, June 16 at the Rocksia Hotel, Arncliffe.
“Marriage Equality is a simple issue of fairness and equality,” the organisation’s national spokewoman Shirleene Robinson said.
Ms Robinson said the forum in Barton would allow members of the community to get involved in the campaign, ask questions and share their stories on why marriage equality mattered.
Ms Robinson said 30 electorates were being targeted in the campaign.
MORE CCTV CAMERAS
Minister for Justice Michael Keenan has promised closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras for Brighton-Le-Sands and Wolli Creek shopping precincts to counter crime anti social behaviour.
Last month, Mr Kennan promised 25 cameras for the Hurstville CBD and shopping strips at Kogarah, Carlton, Allawah and South Hurstville, to be operated by Georges River Council.
On Tuesday, Mr Keenan, with Barton MP Nick Varvaris, was at Wolli Creek, promising $122,000 for CCTV installations in that suburb and at Brighton-Le-Sands.
Mr Keenan said the funding, under the $40 million Safer Communities Fund, would be provided to Rockdale Council to deliver the projects.
The number of cameras or details of where they would be located was not given in a media release.
LIBERALS’ MEDIA STRATEGY
As has happened in previous visits to Barton by ministers during the election campaign, less than two hours notice was given by the Coalition’s media centre of Mr Keenan’s announcement (above).
This makes it extremely difficult for media to attend and removes the opportunity for questions to be asked.
A spokesman for Mr Varvaris said they have no control over arrangements.
JUNE 3
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Julie Bishop, was in Hurstville on Thursday.
Ms Bishop, with Barton MP Nick Varvaris, visited the office of CanRevive, which supports Chinese-speaking cancer patients and carers.
CanRevive was established in Haymarket in 1995 and opened a branch at Hurstville in 2008.
City office manager Victor Yeung said the future of the Hurstville office in Park Road was uncertain as the building was being redeveloped.
Mr Yeung said, by the end of the year, the branch would have to find alternative accommodation or the team move back into the City until another suitable office could be found at Hurstville.
JUNE 2
ROYAL COMMISSION CALL
Labor candidate for Banks, Chris Gambian, has an extra special interest in his party’s commitment to hold a royal commission into the banking industry if it wins the election.
Mr Gambian worked for the Finance Sector Union for 16 years before starting his own consultancy business, and later taking a role with the Community and Public Sector Union
"I've seen up close what banks do to their customers and staff,” he said.
“We need a banking sector that is strong, to be sure, but also ethical and accountable."
"I've campaigned against branch closures, against job losses and offshoring.
“But the scandals in recent times are unprecedented.
“Only a royal commission will have the power and resources to uncover the extent of the problem so that we can find a solution."
Labor leader Bill Shorten said on Wednesday, “We will not let go of this issue and it is one of the key issues in this election”.
VOLUNTEERS APPLAUDED
Social Services Minister Christian Porter praised the work of volunteers when he and Banks MP David Coleman visited Georges River Life Care in Peakhurst.
The Christian faith-based community organisation, which provides a range of services for families and individuals in need, recently received a $$4000 grant under the federal government’s volunteer grants program.
Mr Porter said volunteers played a critical role in building stronger and more resilient communities.
“We are giving direct support to twenty-one groups here in Banks”, he said.
Georges River Life Care pastor Glenn Power said the funding would help to reimburse fuel costs and to purchase outdoor furniture and equipment.
JUNE 1
Labor Leader Bill Shorten received a rousing reception when he visited Rockdale on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Shorten and Barton MP Linda Burney had coffee in a King Street mall cafe before a street walk and visits to shops.
“The crowd just grew and grew,” Ms Burney said.
“Lots of people came up to introduce themselves, talk about issues and ask for photos and autographs.”
Ms Burney said the main topics raised were superannuation, pensions,education and health.
University issues had been raised by some students.
GEORGES RIVER FUNDING
Environment Minister Greg Hunt visited Banks electorate to announce the federal government would provide $2 million for the Georges River Recovery Plan.
Mr Hunt said the funds would be directed towards areas needing immediate attention.
He said boardwalks would be constructed and environmental remediation work conducted at Myles Dunphy Reserve in Oatley and Gannons Park in Peakhurst.
In addition, the government would deliver new Green Army teams at Salt Pan Creek in Peakhurst, Moore Reserve in Hurstville Grove and Poulton Park in Connells Point.
Mr Hunt, with sitting Liberal MP David Coleman, launched the Green Army program on the Georges River in 2014.
SUPPORT FOR REFUGEES
Welcoming Christian refugees into the area is among election issues for Banks highlighted by Christian Democratic Party candidate Greg Bondar.
He says the NSW Co-ordinator for Refugee Re-Settlement should be lobbied.
Other issues listed on Mr Bondar’s Facebook page include more Infrastructure like the $60 million Bankstown RSL redevelopment, reducing government “red tape” for small business, affordable housing, improved transport and roads and “one Law for all Australians – no Sharia law”.
MAY 31
LIVING IN THE PAST
Hughes MP Craig Kelly has been embarrassed after he handed out flyers stating his wish to "contribute to a Coalition government under Tony Abbott".
Fairfax Media’s Heath Aston reported Mr Kelly, who was one of the former Prime Minister’s closest supporters distributed the flyers at Sutherland railway station on May 20.
Mr Kelly told the Leader it was “an innocent oversight”, and his team had received a great response at railway stations over the first three weeks of the campaign.
“People can see the humorous side,” he said. “They're more interested to know where my Labor opponent has been.”
Earlier, he told Fairfax Media, "It was an old brochure from last campaign that had somehow got in amongst the new boxes”
"We picked up the error and we have now pulped all of those boxes."
Labor opponent Diedree Steinwall, who returned on the weekend from Japan where she was a member of a Sutherland Shire Council “sister city” delegation, was at Sutherland station early today handing out her own flyers.
Ms Steinwall, who resigned from the council on the advice of Labor Party officials, said, while the flyers may be due to a mistake, they also pointed to Mr Kelly’s close ties to Mr Abbott and his “policies of the past’.
“I am promoting Labor’s policies that are about Australia’s future,” she said.
ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY
Ellie Robertson is running for the Animal Justice Party in Hughes.
Ms Robertson, who lives at Holsworthy “with my husband and four cats”, has a significant physical disability and uses a motorised wheelchair.
“I am a staunch supporter of animal rights and animal welfare issues,” she said.
”For the last three years I have been a public speaker on disability issues attending various forums, workshops and conferences.
“My parents are Greek, and I also speak fluent Greek. I also run my own small business.
“I am keen to give our local federal member Craig Kelly a run for his money.”
MAY 30
ELECTION FORUM IN BANKS
Voters in the seat of Banks will have the chance to quiz candidates at a forum sponsored by St Mark's Anglican Church, South Hurstville on Sunday, June 5.
David Coleman (Liberal), Chris Gambian (Labor), Philippa Clark (Greens), Greg Bondar (Christian Democrats) and Roy Barnes (Animal Justice Party) have been invited.
The structured forum, starting at 2pm, in the hall of the churc in The Mall, will allow for candidates to state their policies and answer questions.
St Mark’s rector, Peter Greenwood, said “the federal election provides the opportunity for citizens to be actively involved in our democracy”.
“We want everyone in our electorate to be able to make an informed decision, rather than one made out of ignorance, rumour and spin.”
HUGHES CANDIDATE ‘GUTTED’
Labor candidate for Hughes Diedree Steinwall says she is “gutted” at having to resign from Sutherland Shire Council on advice from party officials.
Ms Steinwall says she will “now put 200 per cent” into trying to win Hughes, held by the Liberals with an 11.8 per cent margin
TEA AND SCONES AT WORONORA
Tea and scones were in plentiful supply when Hughes MP Craig Kelly hosted afternoon tea on successive days last week at Woronora RSL & Citizens Club.
On Tuesday, ex-servicemen were invited to meet and discuss matters with Veteran Veterans Affairs Dan Tehan.
The following day, Minister for Trade and Investment Steve Ciobo attended an “export grants seminar”, where business owners could discuss opportunities.
