I was saddened by the killing of more than 58 people in the hostage incident in a Catholic church in Baghdad. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility, and simultaneously issued a threat and warning to Christians across the Middle East. Assyrians are relentlessly persecuted in their ancestral homeland because of their racial, ethnic and religious beliefs. Read the rest of this entry »

The fourth successful instalment, Timothy Ly’s brainchild has finished for 2010.
Last night at the Jesus Family Centre in Cabramatta, West Express showed the diverse international talents that Cabramatta and Fairfield can muster. Although no clear political patronage, Dail Le and Thomas Dang were excited audience members. It is good that the Liberal Party has persons interested in these cultural events. Read the rest of this entry »

The media pack worked overtime to hide it, but questions now need to be asked relating to the just completed federal election. We don’t yet know how the results will allow the parliament to form, if the ALP or the Liberal party will form government. But there are some other issues that demand our consideration too. Who will lead the ALP next week, and who will lead it the week after? Read the rest of this entry »

It is a fortnight since Gillard rolled Rudd, surprising her own party who desperately wanted something to assure them that the poll results they were reading were wrong. Media analysis had ignored the situation, and so the public were surprised by the desperation of the act. It is accepted wisdom that Rudd was the worst PM Australia has ever had, but it was hoped inertia would be sufficient to keep the ALP in government. Indeed, in January 2010, the current position seemed impossible. Read the rest of this entry »

As with all politics, nothing happens in a vacuum. Penrith is surrounded by other suburbs. Federal, state and local politics play their role. Perception of parties and loyalties come into play. It is a fact that the swing against the incumbent in the recent Penrith by election was the largest ever for the seat, and possibly Australia. And still there are some nine months before the next state election. Read the rest of this entry »

It is almost as if every level of ALP government is fighting to show how bad they can be. Federally, The Rudd team released a budget with tax reform built in, a reform based on a report they sat on for some six months. In State news, Keneally’s administration released a budget with a surplus, which was applauded by those who detest conservatives as being conservative. Read the rest of this entry »

Could a report please come back to Council outlining the various options for the sale of publicly owned land?

In the interest of restoring transparency and integrity back into the Council’s sale process, of publicly owned land.

Could the report please provide Councillor’s with a resolution that will go to an Ordinary Meeting of Council for adoption, which will amend the current policy to:

Restrict the future sale of all publicly owned land to a public auction, with a reserve price as determined by an independent valuation and agreed to by Councillors through the relevant committee.

And if a public auction does not achieve a sale, which meets the Council’s pre-determined and agreed price, a report go back to the relevant committee with alternative options for the sale of the property such as another public auction, a tender or even private negotiations.

So that Councillors are better informed about the compulsory acquisition process, could a confidential report please come back to Council with a timeline of the milestones for the compulsory acquisition of the property on the Corner of Hill Street and Cabramatta Road, Cabramatta, from the date that, the Council resolution to compulsory acquire the property was passed to the date that the property officially became Council owned? Read the rest of this entry »

Mr Mayor, We know that the owner of 61 Canley Vale Road is a Labor Party donor. We know that the owner of 61 Canley Vale Road is only interested in a land swap arrangement and not an outright sale of his land to Council. We know that the Canley Vale Link Road will have benefits to the quality and usability of open space, to pedestrian safety and to car parking, as this is stated in a report to the Outcomes Committee meeting, dated 12 May 2009. Read the rest of this entry »