Mardi Gras Policing, Citizenship, Inner City High School, Hunting in National Parks and Barangaroo

Last week my office was inundated with messages from people concerned about several serious policing incidents involving Police at Mardi Gras. I’ve worked with the Police Minister, NSW Police, NSW Ombudsman and Mardi Gras, and asked the NSW Ombudsman to independently oversee investigations to ensure they are done properly. The Minister met with me on Wednesday and committed to a meeting with the Police Commissioner this week to make sure that future events don’t have the same problems. Along with a number of LGBTI community groups I will soon convene an open community forum to follow up concerns. My comments on ABC News about this matter can be viewed HERE.

Last week I attended a citizenship ceremony at Woollahra Council, welcoming new citizens to Australia, reminding them they need to enrol to vote to exercise their new rights. Don’t forget to update your enrolment if you have moved. Information is available HERE.

Congratulations to inner city parents on collecting 1,000 signatures on petitions for an inner city public high school, which I will lodge for a response from the Minister for Education. See the media report HERE.

Last week the National Parks Association gave me petitions signed by over 10,000 people opposing recreational hunting in national parks. I will table petitions in Parliament to initiate Parliamentary debate on this cruel blood sport, which serves no conservation purpose and puts park visitors at risk of death or injury. See the media report HERE.

Yesterday I spoke in support of the Millers Point community at a spirited forum “What’s the Hullabaloo about Barangaroo?” at the Frances Keevil Gallery, along with legendary Jack Mundey, architect Philip Thalis and former City of Sydney Councillor John McInerney. See Jane Bennett’s wonderful paintings of this disappearing part of the city HERE

Have a great week

Alex Greenwich MP
Independent Member for Sydney

PS. Check out the Council on the Ageing forum for older people to take control of electricity costs 14 March HERE

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