Monday 28 May 2018

Unharm and Uniting present a public forum with Dr Manuel Cardoso, one of those responsible for the Portuguese drug policy, with Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre Director Dr Marianne Jauncey and former WA Premier Geoff Gallop Tuesday 5 June 6-8.30pm at the St Stephens Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie Street. Tickets HERE.

Thursday 24 May 2018

The community message that short term letting must be properly regulated is reaching government members, with a retreat from a reported policy that would have allowed homes to be let out to visitors for half a year with no rights for apartment buildings to set their own rules.

(Private Members' Statement, 17 May 2018, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

Over 18 per cent of Australians live with disability including 51 per cent of Australians over 65. Unfortunately people with disability are still more likely to be removed from their family, excluded at school, denied appropriate housing, imprisoned, suffer sexual assault, or die of preventable death. Without the right support, many are at risk of social isolation and financial hardship.

Monday 7 May 2018

Mobile drug testing operations will now test for the presence of cocaine – they already test for cannabis, speed, ice and MDMA – and the government will double the number of operations in the state.

Monday 7 May 2018

Parliament’s A Little Night Sitting Tuesday 15 May 5-7pm looks at NSW becoming independent from Britain, with Professor Anne Twomey recounting the struggle between Imperial and Colonial law. Free but bookings essential, information HERE.

Monday 23 April 2018

I remain concerned that Sydney’s late night scenes and opportunities for emerging performance artists are dwindling and I’ve asked to meet with the minister responsible for licensing laws.

Tuesday 17 April 2018

Asylum seekers depend on minimal payments through the Status Resolution Support Service’s basic living allowance, casework, and torture/trauma counselling. The Commonwealth Government plans to cut this program, leaving thousands of people with nothing but access to a computer at an employment agency.

I’ve heard from asylum seekers how important this program is to getting back on their feet and I’ve asked the minister to reinstate the program. Send a message to the Prime Minister through the Refugee Council of Australia campaign: HERE

(Bills - Second Reading Debate, April 10 2018, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

I support the Smoke-free Environment Amendment Bill which bans the use of electronic cigarettes in places where smoking tobacco is currently banned.

E-cigarettes have only emerged in the last 5 to 10 years. While five years ago use seemed to be growing rapidly, it appears that their take-up has settled with the minister reporting that less than one per cent of people in New South Wales use electronic cigarettes. Notwithstanding, electronic cigarettes are being used in the community and I support the government’s approach to protect people from second-hand vapour.

Tuesday 10 April 2018

If Sydney is seriously going to be a global city, we need to remove the 1.30am lockout for small bars and well managed venues. The Committee for Sydney’s latest report identified serious concerns with the lockout laws’ impacts on Sydney’s nightlife and made some sensible recommendations for greater diversity of night-time activities and late night transport.

Momentum for reforms to encourage safe night-time events and activities is building. The report is HERE.

Monday 26 March 2018

The Committee for Sydney’s ‘Sydney as a 24-Hour City’ report identified serious concerns with the lockout laws’ impacts on Sydney’s nightlife.