Alex's Update 194
8 November 2016
Marriage Equality, Fish Market Sale, ANZAC Memorial, Crown Lands Threat, Paddington BBQ, Deng Adut in Parliament and Support ICLC
Marriage Equality
I was in the Senate yesterday when the federal government’s plebiscite bill was voted down, a great win for justice and equality. My oped in the Huffington Post reminds us that we are closer than ever and must keep up the reform momentum. Read oped HERE.
Join the community campaign for marriage equality: www.equalitycampaign.org.au.
Fish Market Sale
The government will sell the entire Sydney Fish Market site at Pyrmont for residential and commercial development and relocate the market on the harbour foreshore on Bridge Road adjacent to Wentworth Park. I am appalled at this deal to privatise and commercialise public waterfront land, which was made without community input and ignores the key agreed Bays Precinct principles of the Bays Precinct Taskforce and the Bays Precinct Implementation Committee requiring public access and public ownership of land. The harbour is for everyone and should not be blocked by privately owned towers.
No information has been given about the scale of the development on the current site. This very densely populated precinct faces ever more development without needed education, transport and recreation infrastructure. I will continue to push for community and council input into the size of the redevelopment.
ANZAC Memorial
11 November 1918 marks 100 years since the World War I Armistice Day and the centenary construction project is intended to complete the vision of the original ANZAC Memorial architect Bruce Dellit. Funds are being raised for ongoing education and exhibitions modelled on the 1934 fundraising selling stars in the Memorial’s Great Dome. Details HERE.
Crown Lands Threat
Environment groups are calling for debate and vote on the Crown Lands Management Bill to be deferred until next year. The bill makes it easier for the government to sell and develop Crown lands ahead of a planned stocktake of the entire estate. The government did not release a draft of the long and complex bill and if it comes to the lower house in its current form I will oppose it.
Crown lands provide significant environmental, social, recreational, heritage and cultural values that must be protected. Join the campaign to get debate on the bill deferred HERE.
I’ve worked with local residents to protect the Crown land Paddington Bowling Club site from development and retain it for public recreation. Journalist Wendy Bacon has tracked the history of threats to this Crown land HERE. The minister’s response to my latest question shows that the future of this site remains up in the air. Minister's response HERE.
Paddington BBQ
Join City of Sydney and Police officers and your neighbours Sunday 13 November 11am-2pm at Selwyn Street Paddington for a free BBQ, Feature Creatures mobile reptile show, children’s activities, live music and information about safety. Information HERE.
Deng Adut in Parliament
I’m honoured to host the Gennarosity Abroad’s fundraiser with NSW Australian of the Year Deng Adut at Parliament House fundraiser on Wednesday 30 November 6-7:30pm. Gennarosity Abroad is a non-profit providing education, job training, health, literacy, clean water, employment and aid programs to people in Kenya. Join me to support this grassroots organisation effecting real change! Details: www.gennarosityabroad.org/events.
Support ICLC
The Inner City Legal Centre is raising funds to provide legal support for young transgender people, now more vital as legal centres face large federal funding cuts. Find out how you can help HERE or join their Tasmanian Trek next March, information HERE.