South East Rail route, inner city noise, policing at Mardi Gras, Police sniffer dogs, Woollahra Citizens of the Year, GetUp GetTogether 

Unlike the selected CBD light rail route, which years of extensive research shows will reduce inner city congestion and travel times, the South East Rail Devonshire Street route came as a surprise leaving Surry Hills locals concerned that better alternatives were not properly considered. I am also concerned about impacts on Moore Park and people's homes.

In Parliament I asked the Transport Minister to hold a public information forum for affected residents and will submit petitions calling for alternative routes. You can join PUSH People-Unite-Surry-Hills campaign on Facebook and you can download, sign, and share the petition HERE.

Inner city noise comes from multiple sources which accumulate to worsen impacts, and I called on the Government to update controls and coordinate complaints under a single reports hotline so that affected residents don’t have to navigate complex laws and policies under different agencies that are poorly enforced. My speech is HERE.

Following outrage at footage of heavy handed policing at the Mardi Gras parade, my forum with Mardi Gras, the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, ACON and Police last Tuesday allowed LGBTI community members to share with senior police their experience during the festival. Police agreed to do better and a number of initiatives are being considered. A petition to establish an external body for police investigations will be available soon.

Following allegations of public strip searches and without reasonable suspicion of drugs and the Ombudsman findings that drug dogs don’t help catch drug dealers, I will speak further about this in Parliament and have asked questions about sniffer dog operations HERE.

I congratulate Jessica Brown, Monsignor Tony Doherty, Adam Schwartz and William McQuaid on their selection as Woollahra Citizens of the Year, and attended the Community Leaders Ceremony for them – a great way to thank those who contribute to healthy communities.

Last Thursday, I hosted a GetUp GetTogether Dinner for local residents to discuss key concerns for the Commonwealth Government, and out top concerns were small business, mental health, and mature age participation in the workforce.

Have a great week

Alex Greenwich MP
Independent Member for Sydney

PS. Over 11,000 people have signed up to keep the Taylor Square Rainbow Crossing. Please add your support online HERE