Monday 13 November 2017

Marriage Survey Results, Voluntary Assisted Dying, Stand By Me, Support for New Parents, Child Protection, Westminster v Presidential, Festa Italia & Transgender Day

Marriage Survey Results

Join me at Prince Alfred Park Wednesday 15 November 9am-12pm to hear the results of the federal government’s marriage postal survey, with speakers and entertainment. Bring your picnic, information HERE.

There’s also a flag raising, speakers and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir 5-6.30pm Wednesday at Taylor Square, calling on the federal government to change the law for marriage equality.

Voluntary Assisted Dying

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill is expected to be debated on Thursday in the Legislative Council. I’ve worked on the bill with Trevor Khan (Nationals), Lynda Voltz (Labor), Mehreen Faruqi (Greens) and Lee Evans (Liberal) to develop a scheme that would allow terminally ill adults over 25 who are experiencing significant suffering at the end of their life to get assistance to die. The bill has strong safeguards to ensure no-one will be coerced into seeking assistance and has extensive oversight. 

If the bill passes the Legislative Council, it will go to the Legislative Assembly the following week. While international models show only a small number of people end up using assisted dying, we know that the option provides many people who are dying with relief that they have an option if suffering gets too severe. See the report in Central Sydney magazine HERE. 

Recently Victoria’s Parliament passed similar laws, which is a great win for compassion. The bill still has to go through the committee stages where it could be changed before a final version is voted on.

Stand By Me  

I support the community campaign to maintain funding for disability information and advocacy services, which are vital for people with disability to negotiate with service providers and government agencies, including the National Disability Insurance Agency for NDIS services. The NSW government intends to defund these services next June, leaving people with disability without a strong voice. Support the campaign HERE. 

Support for New Parents

As a member of Parliament’s Community Services Committee, I’m keen to hear from people with real life experience about the services and supports essential for new parents and babies, especially those who may need extra help. Often new parents feel overwhelmed and decision makers want to know what support would help. You can make submissions by 17 November, HERE.  

Child Protection

You can comment on proposals to change child protection legislation until 30 November, including a stronger focus on restoration, tighter response times to reports, more use of alternative dispute processes, expanding mandatory reporting, requiring other services to help where children are at risk and changes to court processes, HERE.

Westminster V Presidential

Parliament’s Education Services presents Professor Rodney Smith and Dr David Smith from The University of Sydney comparing Westminster and Presidential model democracies and their checks and balances Wednesday 15 November 5-7pm. Free but bookings essential, HERE.

Festa Italia

Glenmore Road Paddington turns into an Italian ‘village’ celebration at ‘Festa Italiana’ Sunday 19 November 4-8.30pm, with food/drink stalls, dance, opera, Italian DJ and activities, HERE.

Transgender Day

Join me at Harmony Park 6pm Monday 20 November for the Day of Remembrance hosted by the Gender Centre, HERE. This is followed by a procession to Taylor Square for the candlelight vigil hosted by Trans Sydney Pride, with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir performing. Details HERE.