ANDERSON FIGHTS FOR GUNNEDAH MINE WORKERS
Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release
Friday, 24 May 2013 12:01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 May 2013
Anderson Fights for Gunnedah Mine Workers
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson is looking for answers on the recent job cuts at the Boggabri Idemitsu Coal mine. 106 workers were retrenched from the mine following a slow-down in coal production. There were 87 employees and 19 contractors.
Mr Anderson said it appears some local employees were given notice in preference to 457 employees.
“I have had good hard working locals come to me and express their anger about the way they have been treated and the fact that they believe they have the skills to match any 457 visa employees.
“If that is the case then I want answers from Downer EDI who hire and fire the Boggabri coal mine workforce.
“Mining is very important to our region and has been for a long time. I completely understand that there are fluctuations on the numbers of workers required depending on the output of the mine, but I will not stand by and see 457 visa employees given preference over local workers who have the same skill set.
“We need the jobs and if our people have the skills then they should be retained or employed first time every time.
“We need to look after our local workforce. They are the mums and dads with kids in our schools, they have mortgages, they are members of sporting and community organisations and real contributors to Gunnedah and our region.
“These are the people that companies should be looking to for a strong loyal workforce, not a temporary fly in fly out fix.
“I have already spoken to a number of people from Boggabri Coal, Downer EDI, as well as the Gunnedah Miners’ Support Group President, Councillor Colleen Fuller, and the CFMEU.
“I have invited the Executive General Manager People and Strategy, Mike Connell and General Manager South East Steve Allard to come to Gunnedah to address my concerns and I look forward to meeting with them as soon as possible.
“I have also asked for a full break down on the contract periods for those workers on 457 visas and the terms of their employment.
“This type of culling of local workers out of Gunnedah leaves enormous uncertainty for others working in the mines in the Tamworth Electorate as well,” Mr Anderson concluded.
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MEDIA: Kevin Anderson 0418 493 867
NOMINATE A LOCAL FOR THE 2013 CARERS AWARD
Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release
Friday, 24 May 2013 11:59
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 May 2013
Nominate a Local for the 2013 Carers Award
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson is asking the community to acknowledge carers and nominate them for an award recognising their efforts.
“More than one in 10 people in NSW are carers and are usually family members or friends.
“Each and every day there are people in our community who give their time to those who need it because of disability, mental illness, a chronic health condition, or just simply because they are ageing and tasks that were once easy are no longer simple.
“Nominations will also be available for community groups, government agencies, or other organisations that provide exceptional support to carers.
“I would like to thank carers and organisations for their contributions to our community and to the people they care for,” Mr Anderson said.
Recipients of the award will be acknowledged by receiving a highly commended award and will be invited to the State ceremony.
Nominations for the awards opened Friday 17 May and will close 28 June 2013 and can be made at www.adhc.nsw.gov.au. There will be up to 60 individual awards and up to 20 organisation awards being offered.
“I want to encourage members of our community to take part in recognising these wonderful people by nominating them,” Mr Anderson concluded.
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MEDIA: Kevin Anderson 0418 493 867
ANDERSON PUSHES FOR CHEAPER GREEN FUELS
Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release
Friday, 24 May 2013 11:56
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
21 May 2013
ANDERSON PUSHES FOR CHEAPER GREEN FUELS
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson is pushing for Tamworth to play a greater role in an effort to produce cheaper cleaner and greener biofuels in New South Wales
Mr Anderson introduced a delegation to the Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services the Hon Andrew Stoner regarding a proposed Food and Renewable Energy plant for Tamworth that would produce ethanol as one of its products.
“The delegation included Primary Foods CEO Mr Matthew Kelley, Sino – Excel Energy Limited Directors Dr Charlie In and Ms Lucy Zhang as well Mayor of Tamworth Clr Col Murray.”
In the NSW Parliament today Mr Andrew Stoner said the Government welcomed the additional competition in the ethanol production market.
“I was pleased to recently meet with a number of proponents of planned new biofuel plants in regional NSW including a delegation from Tamworth. We are committed to the biofuels mandates and if these plants proceed through to construction and production there will be significant new investment in biofuel capacity and more jobs created in regional NSW,” Mr Stoner said
Mr Anderson said “The $300m Food and Renewable Energy project in Tamworth is primarily a food plant with waste streams used to produce ethanol and the announcement of this project was timely given the NSW Government’s push for the state to invest further in the industry.”
Mr Anderson said “We need to continually look for new for horizons when it comes to business opportunities and growing our economy. This project not only has the potential to have a positive impact at a State and National level, but internationally as well with Tamworth leading the way.
“The delegation outlined to the Deputy Premier that the plant will process about 500 tonnes of local wheat and sorghum, to produce both a range of value added human consumption food and industrial products and bio-alcohol for beverage, fuel and industrial use. It will be the second-largest grain user in Australia.
“The project which is at the environmental impact statement stage could generate up to 500 jobs during construction and would result in 75 direct full-time jobs when operating. It was hoped that ground would be broken on the project later this year, with construction expected to take a further two years,” Mr Anderson concluded.
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MEDIA: Kevin Anderson 0418 493 867
POLICE AT FULL OPERATIONAL STRENGTH
Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release
Friday, 24 May 2013 11:50
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
21 May 2013
POLICE AT FULL OPERATIONAL STRENGTH
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson today said the NSW Government was delivering record police numbers and the Oxley Local Area Command currently has an operational capacity of 100%.
Mr Anderson said this is what we have been pushing for and on the back of strong representation I thank the Police Minister Michael Gallagher for his support.
“This is well over the Government’s target of maintaining Operational Capacity at 90% or more. However I will continue to push for more resources including a Dog Squad and Drug Unit. I congratulate the police on their proactive work, they are definitely having an impact.
“The Operational Capacity is based on staff who are available to work and doesn’t include those on Long Term Sick, Extended Leave, Maternity Leave and external Secondments which do not reflect the true ‘on the ground’ operational strength.
“This Government is increasing the number of Frontline Officers on our streets and also retaining more Police Officers. This is great news for our local community, almost halving the number of Officers leaving the Force compared to the number prior to 2011.
“It’s not just about numbers. We have also delivered reforms and given Police additional powers and resources including:
- $3.5 million for an additional 25 Mobile Police Command Vehicles;
- New ‘Move on Powers’ for Police and a new offence of ‘Intoxicated and Disorderly’;
- New anti-gang laws, new consorting laws, restrictions on bikies in Kings Cross and crackdowns on tattoo parlours;
- The establishment of a new Highway Patrol and Traffic Command and a Police Transport Command;
- The rebuilding of PCYCs and the establishment of the ‘eyewatch’ program;
- An audit of Police resources resulting in 300 police deployed to country NSW;
- The reform and strengthening of the NSW Crime Commission;
- The reform of the Police Death and Disability Scheme and the establishment of an injury management program to get more officers back to work; and,
- The reform of the security industry.
“The Police do a fantastic job protecting our local community and this Government will continue to provide the resources and powers they need,” Mr Anderson concluded.
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Kevin Anderson 0418 493 867
Anderson Congratulates Our Volunteers
Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release
Friday, 17 May 2013 14:07
17 May 2013
Anderson Congratulates Our Volunteers
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has thanked volunteers across the region after a big week of celebrations.
Mr Anderson said NSW Volunteer Week which runs from the 13th to 19th May is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the great work our volunteers do.
“Every day in this community I see volunteers giving their time and efforts to make our communities a better place – in our emergency services, our service organisations, our schools, our sports clubs, our hospitals and our parks.
“They don’t expect anything in return, but we as a community can make the effort to recognise and celebrate their priceless contributions.
‘‘This week I had the pleasure seeing first hand how volunteers can make a big difference. In Niangala I officially opened a brand new kitchen in the Niangala community hall and also attended a thank you BBQ for lifeline and inspected their store and new awning.
“Nominations are now open for the 2013 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award, with many worthy nominees in the area” said Mr Anderson.
Nominations are open in five categories:
- 2013 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award
(With special judge’s choice awards for Youth and Senior of the Year in this category)
- 2013 NSW Volunteer Team of the Year Award
- 2013 NSW Excellence in Not-For-Profit Volunteer Management Award
- 2013 NSW Employee Volunteer of the Year
- 2013 NSW Employee Volunteer Team of the Year
Individual and team nominations close on Friday, 30 August 2013.
Corporate Volunteer and Not-For-Profit Volunteer Management nominations are open until Thursday 31 October 2013. The NSW Government provides $30,000 towards the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award as part of its commitment to celebrate volunteering.
“This award honours the unsung heroes in our communities and I encourage people across our region to nominate the volunteers that make a difference in their lives,” Mr Anderson said.
For more information and to nominate, please visit the website at www.nswvolunteerawards.com. The winner will be announced on 5 December 2013.
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