Blacktown City Council & Australian Catholic University - Joint Media Release - Labor To Grant ACU $7M For Education Growth In Western Sydney

Australian Catholic University has welcomed the federal Labor Party’s pledge to dedicate $7 million to support the establishment of ACU’s new Blacktown campus in the heart of Western Sydney.

Shadow Assistant Minister for Universities and Equality Senator Louise Pratt announced on Wednesday 24 April that the ALP would allocate the grant from its $300 million University Future Fund. Senator Pratt said this was part of the party’s wider commitment to remove caps on university places. 

“We are going to lift university caps by 2020, which is when you are hoping to enrol your first students here in Blacktown.”

ACU has partnered with Blacktown City Council to establish a comprehensive University campus with four faculties and more than 30 courses.

The grant will assist ACU to fit out an existing building as the start of its new campus, providing facilities for students from Western Sydney.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Hayden Ramsay outlined the importance of this infrastructure funding for serving the local community. The ACU development will provide access to university for the next generation of university students without having to travel across the city.

“The university can now build the nucleus of an ACU Blacktown campus even more quickly and with great confidence.

“It is time now for a university option in Blacktown so people who live here, work here and have commitments here can go to a university on their own doorstep.”

Professor Ramsay thanked Senator Pratt and Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland MP. He said the new campus would thrive and grow with fresh Commonwealth Supported Places which would come with the reestablishment of the demand-driven system promised by Labor.

Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali MP said Blacktown City Council welcomed the announcement by the Federal Labor Party.

“ACU’s Blacktown Campus is a vital part of Council’s vision for transforming Blacktown.

“The new campus will ensure the 18,000 university students living in Blacktown City will be able to live, work, play and study at their doorstep.”

ACU will open the Blacktown CBD campus in 2020 with pathway and business leadership programs, and full degree programs from 2021.

Michelle Rowland said: “This announcement is a strategic investment in the long-term future of Blacktown City, providing students in Greenway with first-rate university access close to home.”

From left - Shadow Minister for Universities and Equality Senator Louise Pratt, Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland MP, ACU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Hayden Ramsay, Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP.

Mayor, Councillor Stephen Bali on 'whyilovemountdruitt', Labor Party, Ward 4 Candidate, Blacktown City Council Elections

This is Mayor, Councillor Stephen Bali's 'whyilovemountdruitt', running as a Labor Party candidate in Ward 4, Blacktown City Council Elections.

Stephen has been elected as Mayor, two years in a row, as well as the assistant secretary of the Greater New South Wales branch of the Australian Workers Union. He is very active within the community and understands the proper functioning of  running  a well balanced  Financial Council.

'Click here for Stephen Bali's 'whyiovemountdruitt'

Ed Husic's 'whyilovemountdruitt' - Labor party Candidate For Chifley Federal Election 2016

While this is Ed Husic's 3rd time running as Federal Candidate for Chifley for the Labor Party, his second re-election as a candidate running as a Federal candidate for Chifley and his first time he is showing us 'whyilovemountdruitt'.

I appreciate he has taken time out to do so. The great thing I  like with him, is he is getting out to the local and wider press and media compared to his predecessors. That is because he is social media savvy, he reminds myself of myself, as I am social medial savvy with blogger, face book, twitter and learning about Instagram. Ed Husic beats me (as he should) as he goes and makes himself known with his political views to which ever media/press he can. 


click here for Ed Husic's 'whyilovemountdruitt'

Now The Federal Election Is Running And So Are The Politcians For Election on 2nd July 2016

Now that Malcolm Turnbull has got the election rolling (and a long one at that), the horses are now at the opening gates with Bill Shorten. All candidates are shining their shoes, doing up their ties, wearing their newest jackets.

Thence comes the shaking of hands, the talking, the personal negative comments to opposition candidates on policy or views. The pledges of promises that are yet be fulfilled. The comparison of  what they have done and what they want to do, to secure more votes for their electorate.

As each horse bolts from the gates, each wants to pull more strength against others and use up as much ammunition to throw dirt to other faces. Each prepared speech is a beautifully polished self-portriat wording that should glorify the work you have done and are about to do. People will say they vote for you and they won't and others will vote for you as they are satisfied with what you are doing.

Each opposition leader wants to stay close to the inner barrier and not slow down. They want to stay behind the leader and win from behind.

So how is this election looking, to me there is a few issues that will make the electorate decide which way they will vote. The issues that were at the last election may in the background. Here's what I think is  important when choosing candidates/governments:

• A stable Government will a long serving Prime Ministers and Ministers of Cabinet
• A strong surplus budget that can provide surpluses to the electorate by way of tax deductions for employees and also Employers, raise threshold for lower income earners, lower the income tax rate in general: Lower rate of Tax 20% raised to $25% for middle income earners and maximum 40% for high income earners. 
• Retain Medicare yet provide affordable medical insurance  across  
• Reduce  Duplicate Departments for State and Federal - for example Health - make Federal Government run Health or just have the State and Territories run health or make Austral Department Departments advisors for all State Health officials decisions
• Get rid of Road Tolls - although it is a state issue
•  Get involved in  State and Local Council  decisions that are community improvements and ensure Federal funding is provided.
• The immigration boat issue - great there is no or little boats coming in - we do need to create  friendly village atmosphere immigration centres within Australia, providing the necessary education and support, so that if accepted as residents, are qualified to apply for jobs and obtain jobs, own houses and  grow with their families in our communities. Processing of applications should take  no longer then 6-8 months.
• The same sex marriage laws need to be not placed  into government and not even passed by any vote. This is the government playing as God with lives.
•   A federal ICAC so that  all Parliamentarians can come clean!

In close elections the voters will carry the member over the line!

In the Federal Seat of Chifley, so far we have 5 candidates running, current member Ed Husic, Australian Labor Party, Mohit Kumar candidate for the  Liberal Party, Eliza James candidate for the Greens, Ammar Khan candidate for the 21st Century Party and Joshua Green - Christian Democrat Party.

We will be asking each candidate in relation to 'whyilovemountdruitt' as part of Chifley Federal Electorate and get back to the community once they are received.

Ward 5 Councillor, Blacktown City Council, Jacqueline Donaldson Is Now Independent - True Independancy Will Show Now!

Ward 5 Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson, from Blacktown City Council has today resigned from the Liberal Party and is remaining as an Independent member of Council.

From Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson's Face Book page and new status: 

Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson

54 mins ·

It is with deep regret that I have had to resign from the Liberal Party this week. I have done so because I do not agree with the way the party policies are going, including wanting to change the name of Blacktown which I disagree with.
I am told one of my Liberal colleagues is going to try and make out that I am racist and have resigned for racist reasons
I hope those of you who know me could never believe that.

For those who don't know me as well I have attended a Filipino church for over 10 years and my daughter in law and grandson whom I love dearly are Filipino.
I sit on the Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Sponsor an orphanage in Zimbabwe, a World Vision Child in Bangladesh, regularly support events at a Pakistani Mosque at Marsden Park and have donated to many organisations that help the poor in innumerable different countries.
I come originally from London where I grew up with many people from all over the world and I learnt that it is not about where you came from but what your character is like
My prayer is that my character will speak for itself

This leaves the Blacktown City Council Elections of Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the uneven balance for this month.

The current standings are 7 Labor, 6 Liberal and 2 Independent Councillors. So balance of power will be definitely with the independents as to who will be the Mayor or will Labor Party Mayor Stephen Bali be re-elected. Who knows maybe Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson, may 'throw her hat in the ring' for the Mayoral elections and gain support from all Councillors, how . would that be!

The problem with party politics is you have to vote on party lines but there are times individuals do not agree with Party line decision and power may take over. If the Councillor votes against Party lines for example on the 'Change of Blacktown City Council name', so be it. Councillors should all be working on even plains, party members with party members, whilst representing their  constituents in extreme good faith and fairness and sometimes Councillors will all agree on the favoring of issues, placing party politics aside and realising that 100% is the way to go for community improvements.

One thing we do know is Blacktown City Council will elect one Mayor and there may be more respect, kindness and talking between Councillors for the lobbying of the new Mayor!

Labor Party Posters Up - May Have To Come Down With Fines In Mount Druitt!

Today, I received an email from the Mount Druitt candidate, Joshua Green, complaining about  Labor Party Posters in the Mount Druitt State being placed on electricity poles, which is illegal, without the electricity company's permission. In this case it is Endeavour Energy.

Click here for Joshua Green's Message on Labor Party Posters on electricity light poles

Joshua has further suggested that these posters are on the main roads - Carlisle, Popondetta, Luxford, Woodstock, Jersey, Hyatts, Rooty Hill Rd North. Here are photos of a political signs courtesy from Joshua Green: Click Here 

 I must admit it is a good picture of Councillor Edmond Atalla, portraying him being happy! In the past I have seen political posters that have serious faces - a candidate should be proud of what he or she is doing!

Personally, I thought it was legal as for decades and decades politicians have always been placing their face in any public poles in streets with political posters everywhere. It must have come into law within the last 4 years! I understand that when candidates have information day with the NSW Electoral Commission, this issue would have been addressed - I will try to get this confirmed.

I have conducted a quick research on the Endeavour Energy's website and they confirm what Mr. Green is complaining about. In fact they state that the following:

Click here For Endeavour Energy Details on Political Posters


OR BETTER STILL READ ON

Signs on power poles

Commercial signs and political posters attached without permission on Endeavour Energy’s power poles, streetlight columns or other network equipment is not allowed.

The unauthorised use of our network to post signs is a breach of both the Electricity Supply Act and the Graffiti Control Act.

Posting signs also breaches strict safety rules for working on or near electricity infrastructure, particularly when poles and streetlight columns are adjacent to public roads.

You can report unauthorised signs on power poles in our network here or by calling 133 718.

Please provide the street address, nearest cross street, relevant details of the sign and, if possible, the pole number.  You can also attach photos in your message to us.

We will safely remove unauthorised signs as soon as possible and may invoice the organisation responsible for the cost of doing so.

AND FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE NSW ELECTORAL COMMISSION, Click here  or read the following:

Posters

Once the Writs have been issued for a State election, and commencing on the 40th day before election day for a Local Government election, all posters must show the name and address of the person authorising the printing of the poster, and the name of the printer and the address at which it was printed. These requirements give authenticity to the document and allow the source or printer to be contacted, if necessary. This provision applies whether a poster is displayed on a building, a motor vehicle, attached to a wooden stake or is in banner form.

It is an offence to write, draw or depict any electoral matter directly on any roadway, footpath, building, vehicle, vessel, hoarding or place.

The size of posters is only regulated when they are displayed in certain areas at a polling place on election day. Posters are prohibited within 6 metres of the entrance to a polling place (the actual building). Posters displayed beyond the 6 metre exclusion zone and up to or on an outer wall, fence or other boundary to the grounds are not allowed to be bigger than 8,000 square centimetres (80cm x 100cm) in area. Several single posters of the required size must not be joined together so as to create a sign in excess of the legal maximum size.

Posters are not to be exhibited on or in unoccupied premises, unless permission has first been obtained from the owner. It is also unlawful to attach posters to telegraph poles without the written consent of the appropriate electricity provider.

If the Returning Officer receives a complaint concerning an illegal poster outside a polling place, the candidate, registered political party or community organisation will be contacted and asked to remove it. Election officials are able to remove such posters displayed at a polling place.

A spokesperson I spoke to tonight from Endeavour Energy advised that the fines could be anywhere from $100 upwards to $1,000 each poster. Also advised was that the political posters are issues as it disturbs drivers diving on public roads, which is a safety issue, with high potential risk to cause road accidents.

I also think that the people within our community,do not want streets with with overseen posters as it doesn't look nice to see poster after poster of politicians, their slogans and their political parties! Do not get myself wrong, politicians are human beings, like you and me.  I do and still have my respect for each of them as they do for myself!



Click here for one of the Labor Party Posters Spotted So Far

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