[Greens-Media] Greens MPs* priorities for return of NSW Parliament in 2008

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Background 
26 February 2007

Greens MPs priorities for return of NSW Parliament in 2008

With the NSW Parliament set to return today the four NSW Greens MPs
will bring forward private members bills that will:
·stop electricity privatisation without debate and approval by NSW
parliament
·restore the integrity of NSW planning laws
·establish a container deposit scheme and 
·set up a high level Peak Oil taskforce.

The Greens are also calling for NSW Parliament to sit more often to
deal with the challenges facing NSW and to allow for proper scrutiny of
government actions and legislation. The NSW Parliament sits for less
than 50 days this year. 

John Kaye - Electricity (No Mandate, No Privatisation) Bill 
The bill will ban the sale of the states retailers and long term
leasing of the generators without a motion passing both houses. The bill
will ensure elected representatives have an opportunity to debate the
irreversible changes to the electricity industry proposed by the Iemma
government. Contact: John Kaye 0407 195 455

Sylvia Hale - The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment
(Restoration of Community Participation) Bill
The bill will ban developer donations, restrict the powers of the
Planning Minister to call in developments, remove the Planning
Minister's powers to override environmental and heritage protections and
increase opportunities for community members to be involved in decisions
about development proposals.  This bill is designed to restore the
integrity of NSWs planning laws which have been eroded by Frank Sartor
to suit NSW Labor and big developers. Contact: Sylvia Hale 0437 779 546

Ian Cohen Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Recovery)
Bill 
The bill will establish a comprehensive container deposit scheme for
NSW. A deposit and refund scheme on drink bottles and cans will
dramatically improve recycling rates and force industry to take more
responsibility for the waste it creates. Contact: Ian Cohen 0409 989
466

Lee Rhiannon Peak Oil Response Plan Bill
The bill will set up a high level Peak Oil Taskforce to provide
strategic advice on how best to mitigate the impact of peak oil in the
form of a detailed risk management strategy for NSW. The looming crisis
of peak oil is nowhere on the Iemma governments radar. NSW needs an
action plan to deal with looming oil shortages. Contact: Lee Rhiannon
0427 861 568